Annex: Framework for assessing the Thai
Universal Coverage Scheme
In order to assess the success of Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS)
a framework was developed that identified five key areas of inquiry: policy
formulation, contextual environment, policy implementation, governance
and impacts (see Figure 1 in the main report). The specific objectives were as
follows.
1. To assess the dynamicity of the UCS policy process in two stages:
agenda setting and policy formulation between 2002 and 2010.
2. To review major chronological changes in government policies and
overall health system governance during 2002-2010.
3. To assess the implementation of the UCS regarding budget negotiations
and strategic purchasing, institutional capacities to manage the
scheme and harmonization of the three public health insurance
schemes, as well as to assess UCS’s performance.
4. To assess the scheme’s governance bodies in terms of their roles and
functions, and the degree to which the UCS ensures transparency,
accountability and responsiveness to its beneficiaries.
5. To assess the impacts of the UCS on the health system, providers,
households and macroeconomics.