A Buddhist model for health care reform.
Although medical services are now available in every province in Thailand, there is ongoing discussion surrounding the question of how public health care should be best organized. There is much debate as to whether it should be run by private organizations in libertarian societies like that of the United States or whether it is the government that should be responsible for the welfare of all of its citizens equally, similar to that of the egalitarian system of socialist countries and welfare states. This article is aimed to answer the question: What is the most suitable model of health care system for Thailand? References are drawn from the Pali canon of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, articles, comments, and recommendations of contemporary thinkers in Thailand, to arrive at the most appropriate solution for the Thai society.
Nakprok Temple, Talardplu, Bangkok, Thailand. mettanando@hotmail.com
Mettanando
M
Bhikkhu
D002016:Buddhism; D003469:Culture; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D013785:Thailand; D019472:Universal Health Insurance