Medical council proposes increased malpractice payments
To further increase compensatory payments for deaths and permanent disabilities caused through medical malpractice at government hospitals, the Medical Council yesterday proposed a tenfold amount on top of original rates at Bt200,000 and Bt120,000 for res
The Medical Council’s proposal requires an amendment to Article 41 of the National Health Security Act, which would take time, while a twofold amount, proposed and approved by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), will take effect in October, Medical Council chairman Dr Amnart Kusalanant said yesterday.
Only holders of the NHSO’s Gold insurance cards will be eligible for the twofold amount while the Medical Council’s proposed tenfold amount would cover Social Security beneficiaries and government workers under statefunded welfare.
The Medical Council will meet on August 6 with the NHSO to discuss its proposal for the tenfold payments, said Suntharee Sengkee, a member of the NHSO board.
Preeyanant Lorsermwatthana, chairwoman of the Network of Victims of Medical Malpractice, said a bill proposed by her group would cover cases of deaths and permanent disabilities through treatments at private hospitals under all three government health insurance plans.
She repeated her call for the government to pass the bill submitted by her network and that she would do her best to have it promulgated by this year’s end.
