Merger of SSO and NHSO questionedChief of the Social Security Office (SSO) yesterday called for a careful and thorough interpretation of the 2002 National Health Security Act's Article 10, which refers to merging the SSO with the National Health Security Office (NHSO).08 Apr 11 The Nation Pan Wannapinit also questioned the Article's third paragraph, which requires that the SSO Fund be handed over to the NHSO. The fund is built from contributions from SSO subscribers, so why should the NHSO get it, he asked. He added that moving the money over would violate the Social Security Act, which says that the fund should cover subscribers' medical expenses and pay for administration of the SSO. "If we transfer the fund, it will be like we have hired the NHSO to guard it and act as a middleman. If that is so, then wouldn't it be better for the NHSO to amend Article 10 and cancel such fund transfers?" Wilaiwan Saetia, vice chairperson of the Thai Labour Reconciliation Committee, said she believed that merging the two agencies would not solve any problems. The government should instead study the problems the SSO is facing in detail and improve the agency's quality, efficiency and access to medical treatment. "The most important thing is how to improve all healthcare systems [SSO, NHSO and Civil Service Welfare] and give every citizen access to medical care," she said. |
