Health budget request trimmed by almost a third
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The Cabinet yesterday trimmed a budget request for 2013 submitted by the National Health Insurance Office (NHSO) from the Bt157.3 billion sought to Bt109.8 billion, saying that the amount could be increased after parliamentary scrutiny.
The perhead subsidy for free or lowcost treatment of Bt2,755.60 – amounting to a budget of Bt109.72 billion, should be enough, said the Cabinet, as it was similar to the rate requested and approved last year.
Another chunk of NHSO budget, on operations and management, was yesterday approved at Bt1.2 billion, trimmed from the amount requested at Bt1.672 billion. The NHSO regulates the “healthcare gold cards” that provide for free or lowcost treatment.
The NHSO has requested Bt155.67 billion for treatment costs based mainly on the perhead subsidy, as well as another Bt1.67 billion for management and administrative purpose.
