The PHSM is also demanding that the session does not focus on reaching a quick conclusion, but on listening to opinions from all sides, and that any inconclusive points be discussed later at the National Health Assembly’s forums.

The PHSM yesterday informed Dr Poldej Pinprateep, who chairs the subcommittee gathering opinions on the National Health Security Bill, of its demands.

The bill has drawn stiff opposition from several health advocate networks over some contentious points, particularly its inclusion of copayments. Critics believe such a choice of words will affect the essence of the universal healthcare scheme and most Thais’ rights to free medical services.

Opponents of the bill under the PHSM banner have openly rallied against the bill, forcing the collapse of a public hearing in Khon Kaen province last Saturday and briefly blocking the entrance to the public hearing in Bangkok the following day.

PHSM member Nimit Tien-udom, also director of the Aids Access Foundation, said yesterday that he and his allies would agree to attend the public-consultation session today only if the atmosphere was not war-like.

“Talks should not happen amid the heavy presence of soldiers and policemen. If security officials are all around, we feel unsafe,” he said.

Nimit complained that an unidentified man snatched a banner from his hands and attempted to subdue him and drag him out of the venue for Sunday’s public hearing.

According to Nimit, there is a possibility that participants at the public consultation today will find common grounds on several points of the bill.

“As a member of the people’s sector, we hope the session will allow comprehensive debates and discussions until all participants can mutually reach a conclusion on what points they see eye to eye on, and what points that will need further discussions,” he said.

Nimit suggested that the discussions could be made via the National Health Assembly’s forums, which has already had representatives from relevant sectors.

Poldej said he would inform security authorities that there would be no need to deploy policemen and soldiers at the public consultation, which is scheduled to take place today at the Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel, because there would be no protesters.

“We have invited representatives from the Public Health Ministry, other government agencies, the National Health Security Office (NHSO), and the people’s sector,” Poldej said.

He said there were between 20 and 25 representatives from each group. While the NHSO has managed the universal healthcare scheme, implementation has been mainly handled by the Public Health Ministry’s state hospitals.

Poldej said PHSM representatives would have to air their concerns about the bill at the public-consultation forum, not through him.

He refused to elaborate on which points the PHSM planned to raise at today’s forum.

However, he said his committee was required to submit opinions on the bill to the drafting committee before the end of this month.

Dr Marut Jirasrattasiri, the spokesman for the drafting committee, said if non-governmental organisations got their way, it would be impossible to improve the current National Health Security Act over the next decade.

The Act has governed the universal healthcare scheme, which now covers about 48 million Thais.

“The bill is drafted to replace this Act, with people’s benefits intact and enhanced work process for medical workers and health agencies,” Marut said.