Patient representatives appealed to the parliamentary committee after the NHSO revised innovation clinic criteria to review and control quotas for "Gold Card" patients, highlighting the impact on patients' access to treatment and urging adjustment of reimbursement rates to reflect actual costs.
On 24 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Panida Mongkolsawat, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Court Affairs, received a letter from innovation clinic representatives following the reduction in weekly service visits and caps on service reimbursement budgets, directly affecting "Gold Card" users who can no longer receive continuous necessary treatment.
Dr. Wisanu Charoensuwan, a physician at an innovation clinic in Bang Pho, explained that "innovation clinics" (private clinics) were established to reduce hospital overcrowding and improve healthcare access in remote areas. However, the NHSO's latest measure limiting weekly service quotas has reduced clinics' capacity to serve patients fully, despite readiness to provide services. He presented three main proposals to the NHSO: 1. Remove the weekly quota limit and revert to the previous appropriate criteria, such as limiting services to no more than twice per person per month; 2. Adjust reimbursement rates for some services to align with actual service costs to enable clinics to continue operating; and 3. Involve all parties in policymaking and promote telemedicine by having central authorities develop a high-security standard system to decentralize services to Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals and reduce patient waiting times.
Dr. Wisanu confirmed that this complaint is not for the clinics' own benefit but aims to demand a fair, transparent budget management system that protects citizens' healthcare rights as stipulated in the constitution.
Patient representatives respectfully requested assistance from authorities to resolve the issue in order to reduce the financial and travel burdens on the public.
Ms. Panida said innovation clinics are a crucial mechanism linking people to their healthcare rights. If regulations or obstacles cause difficulties for the public, the legislature is ready to mediate among the NHSO, service providers, and affected citizens. She plans to add this issue to the committee's agenda promptly and invite NHSO representatives, complainants, and related agencies to explain and collaboratively seek solutions. She emphasized that this demand is not for personal gain or excessive budget use but calls for a transparent, fair, verifiable process prioritizing the public's best interests.