Universal health care bill passage eyed in December

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Oct. 30 -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is upbeat on the passage of universal health care bill in the middle of December in the bid to further expand the country’s health insurance program.

PhilHealth acting president and Chief Executive Officer Roy Ferrer said they are currently going through the legal process prior to the bill’s signing by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The state-run health insurance firm’s law department is still working on the reconciliation of benefit packages offered in the bill’s version in the House of Representatives and Senate.

“The President promised that more Filipinos will be covered by a stronger and effective health care system that knows no boundaries. He has promised a government that will work tirelessly regardless of your age, gender, faith, economic status, political beliefs. It will happen soon with the passage of universal health care bill,” Ferrer said during a press briefing here late Monday afternoon.

Under Senate Bill 1896, the proposed measure, contributors -- or income earners -- will have to pay for their premiums while the government will shoulder the contributions of non-contributors. Funds for the subsidy will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Coverage under the proposed measure include uniform benefits for all; prioritize using a fair and transparent priority setting process guided by health technology assessment; and development of a single, comprehensive, primary care package for all.

Under cost coverage, the proposed law will ensure ‘No Balance Billing’ for the non-formal members or ward admissions and fixed co-payment for formal sector members or private room accommodation.

Rodolfo del Rosario, PhilHealth acting senior vice president for legal sector, said the administrative capacity of PhilHealth will be expanded under the proposed law.

“Every congressional district will have a PhilHealth office to make our service more accessible to all Filipinos. Some functions of the regional office will be decentralized to district offices,” del Rosario told reporters.

On Oct. 10, the Senate passed on third and final reading Senate Bill 1896 or the Universal Health Care Bill four months after President Duterte certified the proposed measure as urgent.

Top PhilHealth officials are in this city Monday and Tuesday for the PhilHealth Forward Visayas, a campaign that seeks to inform members of new health benefit packages. (SQM/PNA)