PUBLISHED : 25 Feb 2026 at 05:48
Senator Veerapun Suvannamai has warned of a looming financial crisis in the healthcare system due to unpaid debts from the National Health Security Office (NHSO) under the universal healthcare scheme.
Dr Veerapun, a member of the Senate Committee on Public Health, said that hospitals nationwide have not received full reimbursement for services provided under the “30-baht treatment anywhere” programme since late last year.
Under the NHSO’s point-based reimbursement system, hospitals often receive less than the actual cost of care, forcing them to rely on their own maintenance funds to cover expenses. Some hospitals, such as in Khon Kaen, now face deficits in the billions of baht.
He noted that budget shortfalls worsened at the end of last year when demand for hospital services surged. The NHSO allowed hospitals to temporarily use funds from the 2026 budget, amounting to 7–8 billion baht, with plans to replenish them from central funds. However, the dissolution of parliament stalled approval, leaving hospitals exposed.
“This means part of the 2026 budget was already spent last year. With central funds still pending, hospitals will face even greater financial strain this year,” Dr Veerapun said.
He warned that hospitals with high patient volumes are the most at risk, particularly in rural provinces where maintenance funds are limited.
Consequences could include reductions in medicine quotas, with patients receiving shorter prescriptions — for example, one month instead of three. Medical staff may also be affected, as hospital directors could cut overtime payments first, effectively forcing doctors to work without compensation.
Dr Veerapun described the situation as a “time bomb”, stressing that if healthcare workers stop providing services due to lack of pay, patients will suffer directly. He urged urgent action to stabilise funding so that hospitals can continue delivering care.