Early results from Thailand’s "30 Baht" health reform

In 2001, Thailand extended government-financed coverage to all uninsured people with little or no cost sharing, and a new study published by Health Affairs found "the country has added nearly fourteen million people to the system and achieved near-universal coverage without compromising access for those with prior coverage." The "30 baht" program is named for the goal of ensuring that no individual is charged more than 30 baht (about 84 cents) for any inpatient or outpatient visit, and for prescription drugs.