Legislating for public accountability in universal health coverage, Thailand
Kanang Kantamaturapoj, Anond Kulthanmanusorn, Woranan Witthayapipopsakul, Shaheda Viriyathorn, Walaiporn Patcharanarumol, Churnrurtai Kanchanachitra, Suwit Wibulpolprasert & Viroj Tangcharoensathien[in] Bulletin of the World Health Organisation 98(2):117-125
Participatory governance supported by appropriate legislation can improve the performance of health systems, the following case study examines the Thai Health system.
From the introduction …. Partnerships and opportunities for dialogue among multiple stakeholders are important for health-sector governance. In New Zealand, Thailand and
Turkey, accountability mechanisms have been shown to support quality and responsiveness of services through ensuring that health professionals respect patients’ rights.
Since 2002, Thailand’s entire population of 63 million has been entitled to a comprehensive health benefit package with a high level of financial risk protection through one of the three public insurance schemes. The civil servant medical benefit scheme for government employees, pensioners and dependents (spouse, parents and not more than three children younger than 20 years) is managed by the Comptroller General’s department of the finance ministry, Social health insurance for private sector employees is managed by the Social Security Office of the labour ministry. The remain in population are covered by the universal coverage scheme, managed by the National Health Security Office, a public body established under the National Health Security Act 2002