Accessible Healthcare for Filipinos: Lee Secures DOH, PhilHealth Commitment to Increase Health Benefits
Accessible Healthcare for Filipinos: Lee Secures DOH, PhilHealth Commitment to Increase Health Benefits In a significant victory for Filipinos, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee of Agri Party-List has succeeded in his persistent push to increase PhilHealth benefits, reducing the hospital expenses of millions. The Department of Health (DOH) has committed to boosting PhilHealth’s spending from P140 billion to P250 billion for FY 2025, marking a major step forward for affordable healthcare. He likewise secured commitment for a 50% across-the-board increase in PhilHealth benefits, inclusion of costly diagnostic tests such as PET Scan, CT Scan, and MRI and eye care in the benefit packages, and increasing coverage of chemotherapy and heart procedures to 80%, among others. “Natutuwa po tayo na matapos ang mahigit na ilang dekada ng paghihintay, nakuha natin ang pangakong ito. Di natin ito titigilan hanggang sa maisakatuparan ito! “ Lee said, highlighting the long battle to achieve more accessible medical services for every Filipino. #HealthcareVictory #PhilHealthBenefits #WilbertLeeForFilipinos #AffordableHealthcareNow Healthcare Policy Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 15 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Laments DOH’s Inaction on PhilHealth Benefits Amid Billions in Funds 14 Oct 2024 Lee Respects Filing Of Ethics Complaint Of Fellow Lawmakers 12 Oct 2024 “Sampolan ang DOH!” Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Blocks Budget Over Failure to Implement PhilHealth Changes Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
PhilHealth Benefits to Increase by 50%, Expanded Coverage for Cancer and Heart Disease Treatments
PhilHealth Benefits to Increase by 50%, Expanded Coverage for Cancer and Heart Disease Treatments 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. #PhilHealthBenefitsIncrease #WilbertLee #HealthcareAdvocate #CancerTreatmentCoverage #OutpatientServices #UniversalHealthcare Healthcare Policy Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 15 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Laments DOH’s Inaction on PhilHealth Benefits Amid Billions in Funds 14 Oct 2024 Lee Respects Filing Of Ethics Complaint Of Fellow Lawmakers 12 Oct 2024 “Sampolan ang DOH!” Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Blocks Budget Over Failure to Implement PhilHealth Changes Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Urges DOH to Enhance PhilHealth, Cut Costs
Lee urges DOH to Enhance Philhealth, Cut Cost The Department of Health (DOH) heeded the persistent calls of Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee in providing a comprehensive plan and timeline in lowering the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos, particularly by increasing the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefit packages. “Natutuwa po tayo na matapos ang mahigit na isang dekada ng paghihintay para sa dagdag na serbisyong pangkalusugan, ngayon po, dito sa ating 19th Congress, ay humakbang tayo palapit sa katuparan ng ating adhikain na libreng gamot at pagpapagamot para sa bawat Pilipino.” “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pamumuno ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez na tumutok sa ating mga deliberasyon hanggang maipasa ang Pambansang Budget,” Lee said during his explanation of his affirmative vote on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. “Ito pong ating ipinaglalaban para sa budget ng kalusugan ay hindi po pansarili, ito ay laban ng milyon-milyon nating kababayan na araw-araw ay humaharap sa pangamba na magkasakit sa takot na lalong malubog sa utang at kahirapan dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital,” he added. According to the Bicolano lawmaker, DOH and PhilHealth expressed its strong commitment as signed by DOH Secretary and Chairman of PhilHealth Board Ted Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. to implement the following, among others: To boost PhilHealth’s spending by increasing benefit payments from P140 billion, as reported, to P250 billion for FY 2025 on how to lower the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipinos on their hospitalization costs and health services To cover pediatrics and adult prescription glasses by November 2024. To implement another round of benefits package enhancement, across-the-board, by 50% effective November 2024. To cover diagnostic tests such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and Computed Tomography (CT) scan as part of outpatient services not later than December 31, 2024. To cover at least 80% of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024. Notwithstanding the commitments made by DOH and PhilHealth, Lee underscored the need to monitor its implementation as the fight for quality, accessible and compassionate healthcare is far from over, saying, “Hindi natatapos sa paglagda ng commitment na ito ang ating laban. Ang pinakamahalaga po dito ay ang epektibong implementasyon.” “Kasama ang sambayanan, babantayan ko ito. Illness shouldn’t cost livelihoods. Para sa buhay at kabuhayan ng bawat Pilipino, hindi ko ito tatantanan!” Lee remarked. It can be recalled that during the House Budget Plenary Debates last September 23, Lee deferred the budget of the health agency three times, citing dissatisfaction over the commitments it provided, which eventually suspended the budget deliberations of the DOH. A staunch health advocate,Lee successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14. As early as March this year, Lee has also been pushing for the inclusion of optometric services in PhilHealth urgent care packages, as well as the costly diagnostic tests such as PET scan, CT scan, and MRI, among others. “Patuloy lang tayo sa pakikinig at pagtugon sa mga hinaing ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino na walang pambili ng gamot at pambayad sa ospital. Sa pagtutulungan, maipapanalo natin itong laban na ito. Libreng gamot at pagpapagamot, gawin na natin. Laban natin itong lahat!” Lee said. Healthcare Policy Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Oct 2024 Accessible Healthcare for Filipinos: Lee Secures DOH, PhilHealth Commitment to Increase Health Benefits 04 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert "Manoy" T. Lee Gains Massive Support for Overhaul in Philippine Healthcare Services 04 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert "Manoy" T. Lee’s Healthcare Reform Plan Receives Praise from Lawmakers and Public Alike Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee defers DOH budget, demands plan for PhilHealth benefits increase
Lee defers DOH budget, demands comprehensive plan on PhilHealth benefits increases Congressman Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee deferred the House plenary deliberations on the proposed 2025 budget for the Department of Health (DOH) and its attached agencies, including the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), on Monday. This decision stemmed from the agency’s inaction and lack of specific plans to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses for Filipinos. During the House debates, Lee expressed dissatisfaction with the DOH’s responses regarding the implementation of PhilHealth benefit increases, which he has been advocating for. As a result, he moved to defer the budget discussions multiple times, ultimately leading to the suspension of the deliberations. “It’s disheartening to see the DOH acting this way. Are the officials ignoring the pleas of Filipinos regarding inadequate healthcare services? Why can’t they provide what is necessary for the health and well-being of our citizens?” Lee lamented. He previously criticized the DOH, which leads the Benefits Committee (BenCom) responsible for PhilHealth policy directions, for its unresponsive benefits packages. “Are we just going to wait idly while we hope for an approval of our call for better and more tangible benefits from PhilHealth? Are these officials gods, sitting before us? If it takes my pleading for the people, I will do it. Have compassion for the Filipinos,” Lee stressed, questioning the urgency and inaction of the PhilHealth Benefits Committee. “Will we just be left waiting again? Is it only to be sidelined in the next budget deliberations? Since they have not provided the repeatedly requested benefit increases before these discussions, there has been no announcement of a plan or timeline to address public concerns, nor any indication of what help they need. This is a grave injustice to the people,” he remarked. “We are not just violating their rights; we are allowing them to suffer without a fight.” According to Lee, with hundreds of billions in PhilHealth funds, he felt he had “no choice” but to defer the DOH budget until the agency submits: A detailed plan with a timeline to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for hospitalization. A significant increase in the benefit package to cover diagnostic tests like PET scans, MRIs, and CT scans as part of outpatient services. A revised benefit plan approved by the PhilHealth Board, complete with an implementation timeline. Full coverage for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases. A 50% increase in benefits effective immediately. Inclusion of optometric services and eyeglasses in the PhilHealth benefits package by September 30. An expansion plan for PhilHealth-accredited facilities offering special medical services like breast cancer treatment. A timeline for the implementation of the Konsulta program by PhilHealth. A comprehensive report on medicines and vaccines, including the latest statements on allotment, obligation, and disbursement. The latest statement on the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), including plans and timelines for acquiring medical equipment for public hospitals. “We need a radical overhaul, not just incremental changes in our health financing. This is not about piecemeal support for healthcare,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. “As the saying goes, ‘every life is valuable,’ but why must we face the reality that to receive treatment and prolong lives, we must incur exorbitant costs? Health funds must be utilized for health!” A staunch advocate for healthcare, Lee successfully pushed for a 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits that was implemented on February 14. While there is no confirmed schedule for the resumption of the plenary deliberation on the DOH budget, the House debates are set to conclude this week. “Healthcare is a serious matter. Lives are at stake here. We will stand firm until the end, as this is a fight for every Filipino. I will not back down!” Lee declared. “Illness should not cost livelihoods. Let’s work towards equitable and compassionate healthcare until medications and treatments are free for every Filipino,” he added. Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 15 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Laments DOH’s Inaction on PhilHealth Benefits Amid Billions in Funds 14 Oct 2024 Lee Respects Filing Of Ethics Complaint Of Fellow Lawmakers 12 Oct 2024 “Sampolan ang DOH!” Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Blocks Budget Over Failure to Implement PhilHealth Changes Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee to Grill DOH Over Delays in PhilHealth Benefits Expansion
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee to Grill DOH Over Delays in PhilHealth Benefits Expansion During the House Plenary debates on the proposed 2025 budget for the Department of Health (DOH), Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee is set to question the lack of urgency in expanding PhilHealth benefits despite the insurer’s billions in available funds. Lee, a staunch health advocate, has long pushed for the increase in health benefits and inclusion of costly diagnostic tests in PhilHealth’s urgent care packages. “Sa kabila ng bilyon-bilyong pondo, bakit tingi-tingi at pinatatagal ang mga benepisyo?” Lee asked, calling for swift action on much-needed healthcare services. #PhilHealthReforms #HealthAccessForAll #WilbertLeeAdvocacy #DOHAccountability Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 15 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Laments DOH’s Inaction on PhilHealth Benefits Amid Billions in Funds 14 Oct 2024 Lee Respects Filing Of Ethics Complaint Of Fellow Lawmakers 12 Oct 2024 “Sampolan ang DOH!” Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Blocks Budget Over Failure to Implement PhilHealth Changes Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Include MRI, PET, CT scan, and costly diagnostic tests in PhilHealth urgent care benefit packages – Lee
Wilbert Lee Pushes for Expanded PhilHealth Coverage of Diagnostic Tests News include MRI, PET, CT scan, costly diagnostic tests in PhilHealth urgent care benefit packages – Lee “Yung kayang ibigay, dapat ibigay na agad!” This was what AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee reiterated as he pushed for the inclusion of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, and all other diagnostic tests in the urgent care packages of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). During the House Committee on Health hearing on Tuesday, Lee stressed that “napakatagal na po ng mga modernong teknolohiyang ito na ginagamit para ma-detect kung meron at kung ano nang stage ng cancer, pero hindi pa pala ito automatic na covered ng PhilHealth. Napakahalaga na may access dito ang ating mga kababayan.” Currently, the MRI, CT and PET scans are only covered by PhilHealth if these are undertaken as inpatient services. On the other hand, these are included in the Department of Health’s (DOH) Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) program. “Napakaraming pera ng PhilHealth. Sabi nga natin, hindi prayoridad ng PhilHealth na ilagak ang pondo sa bangko. Bilang health insurance provider, dapat gamitin, ubusin ito kung kinakailangan, sa pagpapalawak ng mga benepisyo nito, kasama na ang full coverage sa mabibigat na karamdaman at diagnostic tests. Huwag nating patagalin at ipagkait ang serbisyo, lalo na sa nangangailangan,” Lee said. “Paano kung hindi naka-confine pero kailangang gawin ang ganitong procedure? Kailangan pang magpa-admit muna? Paano kung walang malapitan o mapagkunan ng MAIP? Di biro ang gagastusin sa mga ito. Bago pa makaipon, baka malala na ang sakit o kaya naman ay mabaon sa utang para lang maipagawa ang procedure na ito,” he added. During the May 21 House Committee on Health hearing, Lee raised a motion for the Committee to urge PhilHealth to include the said scans and diagnostic services in its benefit packages which was then approved by Chairperson Rep. Gato Ciriaco Jr. A staunch health advocate, Lee aggressively pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits. This came after he revealed during the DOH budget hearing last September 2023 that the state health insurer had P466 billion investible funds aside from its P68.4 billion net income and P100 billion government subsidy. In his October 2023 letter addressed to PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. and House Resolution No. 1407 filed October of last year, Lee urged the state health insurer to increase all its benefit packages by 30% since its case rate is no longer responsive to the hospitalization cost of beneficiaries, as this has not been adjusted for over a decade. The 30% increase in PhilHealth benefit packages took effect on February 14. Ledesma, on his part, acknowledged Lee’s persistence in calling for the said increase. “Kami sa PhilHealth, we will be eternally grateful to Honorable Wilbert Lee… Yung pagka-mention niya na ‘ang dami-dami niyong pera, you have to start thinking of the benefit package increases’, talagang si Honorable Lee is really the one who got the ball rolling. Siya talaga yung spark… and it was really, the way it was mentioned, the way it was highlighted, I think everyone started talking about it. Pero honestly Cong., kayo ang nag-umpisa ng lahat. Maraming, maraming, maraming salamat,” Ledesma stated during the House Committee on Health briefing last February 14. The solon from Bicol also advocated for the full coverage of dialysis, cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other diagnostic tests and preventive measures, as well as the effective implementation of the “No Balance Billing” with the ultimate goal of freeing our countrymen from out-of-pocket medical expenses. “Sabi ko nga po, hindi tayo hihinto sa 30% increase lang sa mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth. The government should be proactive in providing the Filipinos what they deserve. We deserve better healthcare services, so we should demand better,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. “Bukod sa tiyak na trabaho, dagdag na kita, sapat at murang pagkain, kasama sa mga serbisyong dapat singilin mula sa gobyerno ang pagkakaloob ng de-kalidad, abot-kaya, at mapagmalasakit na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Winner Tayo Lahat kung maibibigay ito sa Pilipino, kung saan mababawasan ang pasanin at pangamba nila na lalong malubog sa utang at kahirapan dahil walang panggastos sa gamot o pagpapa-ospital,” Lee added. Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 15 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Laments DOH’s Inaction on PhilHealth Benefits Amid Billions in Funds 14 Oct 2024 Lee Respects Filing Of Ethics Complaint Of Fellow Lawmakers 12 Oct 2024 “Sampolan ang DOH!” Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Blocks Budget Over Failure to Implement PhilHealth Changes Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee To DOH: Increase Hospital Allocation For Charity Beds To 30%, Require Hospitals To Post Available PhilHealth Wards
Lee To DOH: Increase Hospital Allocation For Charity Beds To 30%, Require Hospitals To Post Available PhilHealth Wards AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has pushed for the increase of required charity beds in private hospitals from ten percent (10%) to thirty percent (30%). According to Lee, “Gusto nating mangyari na yung mga naka-allocate sa mga pribadong ospital na 10% bed capacity para sa mga indigent patients na nakapaloob sa “No Balance Billing” (NBB) policy, itaas na sa 30%.” “Para mas maraming bed capacity para sa mga pasyente na talagang nangangailangan. Isa kasi itong kakulangan sa PhilHealth wards sa mga dahilan kung bakit napapalaki ang out-of-pocket expenses ng ating mga kababayan, dahil pagdating sa ospital, ang madalas na sinasabi ay wala nang available na ward na nakalaan para sa NBB,” Lee pointed out. Under the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order 2007-041, as a requirement for licensure, all private hospitals shall allocate no less than 10% of its authorized bed capacity as charity beds. “Ito rin po ang prinsipyong isinusulong natin sa pagsasabatas at epektibong implementasyon ng “No Balance Billing,” para wala nang ilabas na pera ang mga kwalipikadong benepisyaryo kapag sila ay na-admit o na-confine sa ospital,” the solon from Bicol said. No Balance Billing is a government policy implemented through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which guarantees that no fees or expenses shall be charged or paid by the qualified members seeking urgent medical care in accredited hospitals. The Bicolano lawmaker likewise urged the DOH to require all its licensed and accredited hospitals to promote transparency in the availability of PhilHealth wards by posting a notice at their entrance indicating the number of occupied and vacant PhilHealth wards to help beneficiaries make informed decisions about their healthcare options. According to his proposed House Resolution No. 1716, “the lack of clear and visible information regarding the availability of PhilHealth wards may lead to confusion and hinder beneficiaries from utilizing their PhilHealth benefits effectively.” “How can they avail of this service if they do not know about it?” Lee asked. “Napakahalaga na alam ng mga pasyente at ng kanilang pamilya yung impormasyon tungkol sa mga bakanteng PhilHealth wards para may choice sila, lalo pa’t nandyan lagi yung pangamba nila sa laki ng bayarin sa pagpapa-ospital, na magagalaw ang kanilang budget sa iba pang pangangailangan, na baka maubos ang ipon at mabaon sa utang,” he stressed. It can be recalled that Lee successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was recognized by the state health insurer’s President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., as the “spark” that led to the benefit hike implemented last February 14. Currently, solon from Bicol persistently advocates for the institutionalization of NBB, full coverage for dialysis, cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other major hospital operations, as well as the inclusion of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, and all other diagnostic tests in the urgent care packages of PhilHealth, underscoring that availability of these tests shouldn’t be limited to inpatient care. “The Filipino people deserve better health services than enduring long waits in hospitals without the assurance that they will receive proper care. We should demand better and demand more from government. Lahat tayo, dapat makatamasa ng de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan, hindi yung kung sino lang ang may pambayad ang naaasikaso, nakapagpapagamot at naisasalba ang buhay,” Lee said. “Illness shouldn’t cost livelihood. Mayaman man o mahirap, dapat arugain ng Estado; lahat, may karapatang mabuhay.” “Winner Tayo Lahat kung bukod sa tiyak na trabaho, dagdag na kita, sapat at murang pagkain, ay natutugunan ang problema at nababawasan ang pangamba sa kalusugan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino para mabigyan sila ng lakas at kakayahan na maging produktibong bahagi ng lipunan,” the solon added. Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Oct 2024 Accessible Healthcare for Filipinos: Lee Secures DOH, PhilHealth Commitment to Increase Health Benefits 04 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert "Manoy" T. Lee Gains Massive Support for Overhaul in Philippine Healthcare Services 04 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert "Manoy" T. Lee’s Healthcare Reform Plan Receives Praise from Lawmakers and Public Alike Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News