Bicolano lawmaker Wilbert Lee is advocating for systemic reforms to ensure that the expanded PhilHealth benefits truly benefit Filipinos. Speaking during a recent health committee hearing, Lee called for the government to invest in public hospital upgrades and resolve systemic issues in PhilHealth claims processing.
“Ang expanded PhilHealth benefits ay makakatulong lamang kung may sapat na kagamitan ang ating mga ospital. Kailangan ng konkretong solusyon para sa kakulangan sa pasilidad,” Lee said.
Lee highlighted the lack of essential medical equipment in many public hospitals, such as PET scans, CT scans, and MRI machines. He pointed out that while PhilHealth benefits now cover these diagnostic procedures, patients in underserved areas often have to travel to major cities for testing, creating additional burdens for them and their families.
“Paano makikinabang ang ating mga kababayan kung ang PET scan ay nasa iilang ospital lang?” Lee asked. He urged the Department of Health to accelerate its Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) to ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of location, can access life-saving services covered by PhilHealth benefits.
Lee also proposed an amnesty program for hospitals and doctors with unresolved PhilHealth claims, which he said often lead to service disruptions. He emphasized the importance of resolving these cases to prevent hospitals from being suspended, which ultimately affects patients’ access to care.
PhilHealth CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. expressed strong support for Lee’s reforms, highlighting how they address long-standing issues in the healthcare system. Lee concluded by calling for a collaborative effort between the government and private sector to improve PhilHealth benefits and healthcare access for all Filipinos.
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