Applied health economics and health policy
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Appl Health Econ Health Policy · Apr 2015
Funding, coverage, and access under Thailand's universal health insurance program: an update after ten years.
In 2001, Thailand implemented a universal coverage program by expanding government-funded health coverage to uninsured citizens and limited their out-of-pocket payments to 30 Baht per encounter and, in 2006, eliminated out-of-pocket payments entirely. Prior research covering the early years of the program showed that the program effectively expanded coverage while a more recent paper of the early effects of the program found that improved access from the program led to a reduction in infant mortality. ⋯ Overall, the statistical results suggest that the program is continuing to achieve its goals after 10 years of operation. Insurance coverage is now virtually universal, access has been more or less maintained, government funding has continued to grow, though at rates below requested levels and 30 Baht patients are still guaranteed access to care with limited or no out-of-pocket costs. Important issues going forward are the ability of the government to sustain continued funding increases while minimizing cost sharing.