Universal Coverage In The Land Of Smiles: Lessons From Thailand’s 30 Baht Health Reforms

Abstract

Thailand became one of a handful of lower-middle-income countries providing universal health care coverage when it introduced reforms in 2001. Following the 2006 military coup, the coverage reforms are being reappraised by Thai policymakers. In this paper we take the opportunity to assess the program’s achievements and problems. We describe the characteristics of the universal insurance program—the 30 Baht Scheme—and the purchaser-provider system that Thailand adopted.