Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has announced a major win for the Filipino healthcare system: a 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits, set to take effect by November 2024. This comes after a series of budget deliberations rooted from his strong advocacy in reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Lee pushed for this reform to help millions of Filipinos who struggle with medical costs.

The health benefits increases include coverage for critical diagnostic tests like PET scan, CT scan, and MRI to be implemented by the end of December 2024. These services will now be a part of outpatient healthcare coverage under PhilHealth, easing the financial strain on families.

“Hindi po ito laban na pansarili lang. Laban ito ng milyong-milyong Pilipinong laging may pangamba na magkasakit sa takot na malubog lalo sa utang at kahirapan dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital,” Lee said, emphasizing the importance of this health reform for the nation.

Lee likewise pushed for the commitment to cover 80% of costs of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases and prescription glasses for adults and children by November 2024.

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