PM Anutin blasts NHSO as hospitals buckle under Gold Card debt
Government considers emergency funds to ease health scheme crisis
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed that hospitals nationwide are owed large sums under the Gold Card scheme, prompting urgent talks on government action.
His comments came after Mongkutwattana Hospital in Bangkok announced the suspension of outpatient services for Gold Card patients due to unpaid medical bills exceeding 110 million baht.
“The NHSO owes nearly every hospital in the country. Their financial management must improve.”
Anutin revealed that the government is considering tapping into central budget funds to cover the NHSO’s mounting debts, pending approval by the Budget Bureau.
“If deemed urgent and meeting the required standards, I will act swiftly to address it.”
The financial strain on hospitals has become critical. Mongkutwattana Hospital director Dr Rianthong Nanna revealed the facility has had to take out bank loans to pay staff wages.
“If I had foreseen this, I would not have agreed to treat Gold Card patients,” he said, accusing the NHSO of “using patients as hostages.”
Dr Rianthong claimed the NHSO had repeatedly failed to respond to requests for payment. The tension dates back to 2020 when the hospital joined the scheme following the NHSO’s delisting of several private clinics. At the time, the NHSO transferred 13 million baht in payments, which are still under review by the administrative court.
NHSO deputy secretary-general Dr Attaporn Limpanyalert disputed the hospital’s 110 million baht claim, saying the verified figure is closer to 37 million baht. He explained that the amount is still undergoing standard budget verification procedures.
Despite the dispute, Dr Attaporn assured that the NHSO is arranging alternative care providers for Mongkutwattana Hospital’s 47,000 registered patients, reported Bangkok Post.
The situation has raised concern among lawmakers and healthcare providers. Senator Veerapun Suvannamai urged the NHSO to use 8 billion baht from a recently approved central fund to resolve outstanding debts, warning of potential drug shortages, unpaid salaries, and delays in critical surgeries if left unaddressed.
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