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Category: Healthcare Policy

Instead of mic scuffle LEE TO FOCUS ON FILIPINO HEALTHCARE WINS: 50% INCREASE IN PHILHEALTH BENEFITS, FREE PET, CT SCAN, MRI

Instead of mic scuffle Lee To Focus On Filipino Healthcare Wins: 50% Increase In PhilHealth Benefits, Free PET, CT Scan, MRI Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee wants the positive result of fiscalizing the Department of Health (DOH) budget and its attached agencies acknowledged instead of focusing on the mic scuffle between him and House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Cong. Paul Daza. It can be recalled that during the House plenary deliberation of the DOH budget on September 25, the Bicolano lawmaker grabbed the microphone from Daza upon realizing that he will no longer be given the opportunity to speak. “Naipaliwanag po natin sa plenaryo kung bakit natin ginustong makapagsalita pa bago matapos ang deliberasyon. Gusto nating ibahagi ang napagtagumpayan natin na mga dagdag na serbisyong pangkalusugan, hindi lang para maipaalam ito sa Kongreso at sa sambayanang Pilipino kundi para sama-sama ring bantayan ang implementasyon nito,” Lee said pertaining to the commitment signed by the DOH Secretary and Chairman of PhilHealth Board Ted Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. to lower the out-of-pocket hospital expenses of Filipinos. “Hindi dapat matabunan ang ipinaglalaban nating ito dahil ito ang kailangang-kailangan nang maipatupad agad para sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan. Deserve ito ng bawat Pilipino. Dapat mapababa ang out-of-pocket expenses o gastusin nila kapag nagkasakit hanggang maging libre na ang pagpapagamot dahil karapatan ito ng ating mga kababayan sa ilalim ng Universal Healthcare Law,” he added. According to Lee, DOH and PhilHealth expressed its strong commitment to implement its plan to lower the out-of-pocket medical expenses of our countrymen. Some of which are: – To implement another round of benefits package enhancement, across-the-board, by 50% effective November 2024. – To cover diagnostic tests such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 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. – To cover pediatrics and adult prescription glasses by November 2024. “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,” the solon from Bicol said. In a radio interview on September 27, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin stated that Lee is correct in pushing to reduce the out-of-pocket spending of Filipinos. “Tama naman ‘yung advocacy niya, kasi nga ang kinukuwestiyon niya ay bakit malaki pa rin ang out-of-pocket expenditure ‘pag tayo’y nagkakasakit,” she said. Meanwhile, in an interview with former Department of Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno last September 27, Lee underscored the importance of persistently pushing for PhilHealth increases and ensuring their immediate implementation. “Kapag nakalampas kasi ang budget ng DOH nang hindi natin natiyak ang kanilang commitment, idi-dribble na naman tayo hanggang sa susunod na budget season. Iyan ang nangyari last year. Pinangakuan nila tayo sa budget hearing pero anong nangyari? Tingi-tingi lang ang naidagdag na serbisyo habang ang dami nating namamatay na mga kababayan. Hindi ito makatarungan,” Lee said. In agreement with the solon from Bicol, Magno remarked. “Alam kong si Cong. Wilbert, not just in this hearing, last hearing pa niya mino-monitor ‘yan, saka tinatanong niya talaga.” A staunch health advocate, Lee successfully pushed for the 30% across-the-board increase of PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 14. Healthcare Policy Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits 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 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News

Lee blasts DOH inaction on PhilHealth benefits increases

Lee blasts DOH inaction on PhilHealth benefits increases Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee lamented the lack of urgency and inaction of the Department of Health (DOH) on pressing healthcare issues such as the slow implementation of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits increase and non-inclusion of costly diagnostic tests in the urgent care packages despite the state health insurer’s billions of available funds. Lee is set to scrutinize the proposed 2025 budget of DOH today at the House Plenary debates. He earlier called out DOH which leads the Benefits Committee (BenCom), the sub-committee responsible for the policy directions and benefits development of PhilHealth, on why its benefits packages remain unresponsive to the needs of members and beneficiaries. “Sa pagsalang ng DOH sa plenary deliberations sa Kongreso, bubusisiin natin kung bakit sa kabila ng bilyon-bilyong pondo ng PhilHealth, tingi-tingi at pinatatagal pa rin ang mga dagdag benepisyo nito, gayong napakarami pa nitong kailangang tugunan para sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. It can be recalled that during the DOH Budget Briefing held last September 4, citing the more than P500 billion worth of investments of PhilHealth, Lee warned the health department that he will defer its budget at the plenary debates if it is still unable to address the concerns he raised regarding PhilHealth’s enormous funds. “Mula pa nung nakaraang taon nang nabisto natin ang bilyon-bilyong available funds ng PhilHealth, iginiit na natin na bukod sa pagbabayad nito sa utang sa mga ospital, ay gamitin nito ang pondo sa pagpapalawak ng mga benepisyong pangkalusugan,” the solon from Bicol said. “Hanggang ngayon, kulang na kulang pa rin ang mga naipagkakaloob nitong serbisyo para arugain ang mga Pilipino. Napakalaking kasalanan sa taumbayan ang pagtengga o paglipat ng pondo para sa kalusugan sa ibang programa na wala namang mamamatay kung hindi gawin.” “Illness shouldn’t cost livelihoods. Kung hindi naibibigay ang dapat at kayang ibigay na serbisyong pangkalusugan, marami tayong kababayan ang lumalala ang sakit at hindi nakakapaghanap-buhay, at sa kasamaang palad, namamatay,” he added. A staunch health advocate, Lee successfully led the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14. He is currently pushing for another 50% increase in PhilHealth coverage. As early as March this year, Lee has been pushing for the inclusion of optometric services in PhilHealth urgent care packages, as well as the costly diagnostic tests such as the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) scan, among others. Lee will also propound questions today on the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) where he will discuss issues on food security and lowering the prices of food. “Ang pera ng gobyerno, pera ng taumbayan. Wala tayong karapatan na nasa gobyerno na hindi ibigay ang dapat ibigay para maabot ang Murang Pagkain at Libreng Gamot at Pagpapagamot para sa bawat Pilipino. Laban natin itong lahat! Gawin na natin!” Lee added. Healthcare Policy Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News

Lee to health officials: Fast-track implementation of PhilHealth benefits increases

LEE TO HEALTH OFFICIALS: FAST-TRACK IMPLEMENTATION OF PHILHEALTH BENEFITS INCREASES With Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) having more than P500 billion worth of investments, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee filed House Resolution No. 2015 urging the Benefits Committee (BenCom) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) led by the Department of Health (DOH), to immediately convene for the implementation of benefit increases and that the meeting must be livestreamed for public’s access.  The measure was filed as soon as the DOH announced the increase in the hemodialysis package rate from P4,000 per session to P6,350—a decision from the recent meeting of BenCom spearheaded by DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa.  “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pakikinig ng DOH at PhilHealth sa panawagan nating taasan ang coverage sa mga medical treatment tulad ng hemodialysis. Ito yung sinasabi natin na kaya naman nilang gawin agad. Pero ang tanong pa rin: Bakit patingi-tingi ang dagdag?” Lee asked. “If the DOH, through the BenCom, can promptly convene and increase certain PhilHealth benefit packages, why can’t it be done with the coverage of other case rates with their enormous available funds,” he added.  In his Resolution, the Bicolano lawmaker also said that the BenCom meeting must be livestreamed for the public’s real time updates so that more Filipinos have access to the information and can stay informed about what’s transpiring in the deliberation of their entitlements and benefits in PhilHealth. Lee stressed that with the hundreds of billions of PhilHealth funds, “dapat ipatupad na sa lalong madaling panahon ang dagdag na coverage ng PhilHealth sa cancer treatment, coronary artery disease, MRI, PET scan, CT scan, maternity care, dental care, eye care, emergency care, comprehensive outpatient benefit package, iba pang klase ng mabibigat na karamdaman at sobrang mahal na mga operasyon sa ospital.” It can be recalled that during the 2025 DOH budget hearing held last September 4, Lee warned to defer the health agency’s budget if the proposed increase in PhilHealth benefits will remain unaddressed before the House Plenary debates.  “Para saan pa na Chairperson ang DOH sa Benefits Committee na ang layunin ay suriin at magmungkahi ng pagpapalawak sa mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth, kung hindi naman mapanatag ang mga Pilipino na may sasalo sa kanila kapag may nagkasakit sa pamilya?” Lee asked during his interpellation.  “Hanggang kailan nila maaatim na patagalin ang mga nararapat na pagtaas gayong maraming namamatay dahil sa kulang-kulang at mahal na serbisyong pangkalusugan? Napakarami rin nating mga kababayan ang nalilimas ang ipon at nababaon sa utang dahil sa laki ng bayarin sa ospital, at hindi maramdaman ang sinasagot ng PhilHealth,” Lee pointed out.  Lee, a staunch health advocate, successfully led the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14. Currently, he is pushing for another 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits and if funds would suffice, an eventual decrease in members’ monthly contribution.  “Pinag-uusapan ngayon kung saan pwede i-invest o gamitin ang sobrang pondo ng PhilHealth. Hindi na dapat ito pinagtatalunan pa: Ang pondo para sa kalusugan, dapat gamitin para sa kalusugan!” Lee remarked.  “Ang gamot at pagpapagamot, dapat sagot ng gobyerno para mabawasan ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan na lalong malubog sa utang at kahirapan kapag nagkasakit dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital. Laban nating lahat ito! Gawin na natin!” he added. Healthcare Policy Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News

Lee Calls For Another 30% Increase In PhilHealth Benefits

Amid transfer of P89.9-B PhilHealth excess funds Lee Calls For Another 30% Increase In PhilHealth Benefits Amid the transfer of the P89.9 billion excess funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the national treasury, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee filed House Resolution No. 1900, urging the state health insurer to implement another round of 30% increase in all its benefit packages and coverage.   Lee’s HR 1900 seeks to determine how PhilHealth can expeditiously increase the current benefits and introduce new benefit packages such as the inclusion of vital diagnostic tests and other essential laboratory exams as outpatient services. “PhilHealth shall serve as the national healthcare provider and not as an investment powerhouse. It is mandated and obliged to utilize most of the funds to increase the program’s benefits and decrease the amount of members’ contributions,” Lee said. “It is best for the interest of the beneficiaries and contributors of the National Health Insurance Program to increase all benefit packages and coverage of PhilHealth to ultimately lower the out-of pocket costs of Filipinos for their healthcare needs,” he added.  To complement the said Resolution, Lee also wrote a letter to PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. last August 8 urging the agency to implement another 30% increase in all its benefit packages saying, “The availability of substantial funds shows that PhilHealth can expand its benefit packages and can even introduce new benefits to cover more of the actual hospitalization costs of beneficiaries.” It can be recalled that Lee, a staunch health advocate, fervently pushed for the 30% across-the-board increase in PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 14. This came after he revealed during the 2024 budget briefing of the PhilHealth last September 2023, that the agency had P466 billion investible funds and P68.4 billion net income, aside from the more than P100 billion government subsidy every year. According to the Bicolano lawmaker, the availability of the P89.9 billion excess funds makes it the best time to increase the benefits offered by PhilHealth by another 30%. “Imbes na sa PhilHealth bumawas ng pondo, kunin na lang sa mga GOCCs (Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations) na hindi related sa social services ang mandato at may iba pang excess funds mula sa kanilang investments at profit,” Lee remarked. “Napakarami pang wala sa benefit package ng PhilHealth tulad ng PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan, CT (Computed Tomography) Scan, at MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Ito po yung mga kailangang tests para malaman kung may malalang sakit, pero napakamahal ng mga ito. Kailangan man, paano ito maipapagawa kung wala o kapos sa budget? Kaya dapat unahin na ma-cover muna lahat ng PhilHealth ang mga serbisyong ito.”  “At kapag may sobra pa sa pondo ng PhilHealth pagkatapos ng mga additional benefits, pwedeng i-suspend o babaan ang contribution ng mga ordinaryong empleyado at gamitin sa pagpapaunlad ng healthcare facilities,” he added The solon from Bicol also renewed his commitment to boost information dissemination efforts to equip farmers, fisherfolk, and all Filipinos nationwide with the knowledge on their PhilHealth benefits and contributions. It can be recalled that last July 1, AGRI Party-list and PhilHealth entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in providing more access to health services and benefits provided by the state health insurer for agricultural workers and all Filipinos. “Isa sa mga pangunahing pangamba ng mga Pilipino, bukod sa pagkain, ang kalusugan. Nandyan lagi yung takot na magkasakit dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital, baka maubos ang ipon o lalong mabaon sa utang. Kaya ang pondong dapat para sa kalusugan, gamitin sa kalusugan, para maibsan ang pangamba at pasanin ng Pilipino,” he said. “Filipinos deserve better so we should demand better health services. Kasabay ng pagsusulong ng murang pagkain, tiyak na trabaho at dagdag na kita, yung libreng pagpapagamot, yung patas at mapagmalasakit na serbisyong pangkalusugan, gawin na natin!” he added. Healthcare Policy Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News

‘FINALLY!’ 30% INCREASE ON PHILHEALTH BENEFITS LEE PUSHED FOR TO BE IMPLEMENTED

‘Finally!’ 30% Increase On PhilHealth Benefits Lee Pushed For To Be Implemented “Sa wakas, yung ipinaglalaban natin na 30% increase sa PhilHealth benefits, aprubado na.” This was the statement of AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee as he welcomed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Board of Director’s (BOD) approval on Wednesday of the 30% increase on the benefits it offers to allay fears of Filipinos of getting sick because they cannot afford medical treatment or hospital expenses. “We thank the PhilHealth’s Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, led by BOD Chairman Sec. Teodoro Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., for heeding our relentless call to implement the 30% increase on its health packages and coverage,” said the legislator. “Malaking tulong ang dagdag na suportang ito ng PhilHealth sa pagpapagamot o pagpapa-ospital ng milyon-milyong Pilipino.” In his letter addressed to Ledesma and his filed House Resolution No. 1407, Lee urged the PhilHealth management to implement a 30% increase in all its benefit packages and coverage. According to the Bicolano lawmaker, it is high time that the PhilHealth update its coverage since its case rate has not been updated for over a decade and is no longer responsive to the hospitalization cost of the beneficiaries. “Dahil sa inflation, nagtaasan na lahat ng presyo—pagkain, tubig, petrolyo, gamot, pati mga bayad sa serbisyo, kasama ang pagpapa-ospital. Kaya dapat lang na mag-adjust na ang PhilHealth sa sinasagot nitong mga bayarin para mas makatulong sa mga miyembro,” Lee said.  Lee stressed that “kapag nagkasakit, marami ang hindi nakakapagtrabaho, walang kita, nagagalaw ang budget para sa ibang pangangailangan, nauubos ang ipon at nalulubog sa utang. Kaya bukod sa sakit, lalo pang sumasama ang pakiramdam ng marami sa atin dahil sa mga dagdag na gastusin.” It can be recalled that upon Lee’s questioning during the deliberation of the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Health on September 2023, it was revealed that PhilHealth had P466 billion worth of investible funds and P68.4 billion net income. According to Lee, “Amid these challenging times, we need a more accessible, compassionate and affordable health care for all Filipinos. Malaki ang papel dito ng PhilHealth. They should ensure that the funds it yielded from its investments and income must be returned to its contributors and beneficiaries in a form of its expanded benefit packages and coverage.” The lawmaker also urged PhilHealth to remove the limit and fully cover dialysis sessions, cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other diagnostic tests and preventive measures, as well as the effective implementation of the No Balance Billing policy to lessen the out-of-pocket medical expenses of patients and their families.  “Winner Tayo Lahat sa 30% increase na ito sa PhilHealth coverage. Patuloy nating tututukan ang maayos na implementasyon nito, hanggang maabot ang pangarap natin na anuman ang estado sa lipunan, mayaman man o mahirap, walang takot o pangamba tayong makapagpapagamot dahil wala na o konti na lang ang babayaran dahil sa tulong ng PhilHealth.” Healthcare Policy Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News

Implementing increase in all PhilHealth benefits, injustice to millions: ‘Filipinos deserve better!’ – Lee

Delay in implementing increase in all PhilHealth benefits, injustice to millions: ‘Filipinos deserve better!’ – Lee Amid the impending five (5%) increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) premium rates this year as scheduled under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee reiterated his call to immediately apply the 30% across-the-board increase in the agency’s offered health benefits, saying that any delay in implementing the increase is an injustice to Filipinos. “Nalulungkot at nadidismaya po tayo na mukhang mauuna pang maipatupad ang dagdag na singil sa premium ng PhilHealth doon sa matagal na nating panawagan na 30% increase sa lahat ng benefit packages and coverage ng ahensya,” Lee said.  “Habang pinatatagal ang pagpapatupad ng hinihingi nating increase, marami ang pinipiling tiisin na lang ang karamdaman kaysa magpagamot at marami din ang di-magkandaugaga sa pag-aalala kung saan kukuha ng pambayad sa ospital,” he added.   PhilHealth on Friday announced that its premium rate will increase to 5% from the previous 4%. The state health insurer said that P17-B will be collected as an additional revenue of the agency due to the increased premium rates to be used in expanding the benefits and programs it offers to members.  Even before the scheduled increase on PhilHealth premium rates, Lee has consistently and persistently stressed that the agency had the funds to cover much-needed increases in members’ benefits.  It can be recalled that in September last year during the DOH budget briefing, Lee revealed that PhilHealth had P466-B worth of investible funds and P68.4-B net income. Given these available funds, he urged the agency to expand its healthcare package offered to our countrymen. In a letter addressed to PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. on October 2023, Lee formally requested in writing and recommended to the PhilHealth management a 30% increase in all benefit packages and coverage provided by the Corporation. According to the lawmaker from Bicol, “Anong pakinabang ng sobra-sobrang pondo sa PhilHealth kung natutulog lang ito sa bangko at hindi nagagamit pandagdag sa serbisyo para sa mga miyembro? Malaking kasalanan at inhustisya ito kung hindi agad gamitin para tulungan at pagaanin ang pasanin ng mga nangangailangan.”  Lee also filed House Resolution No. 1407 on October 2023 urging the PhilHealth to adjust its coverage since its case rate has not been reviewed for over a decade and is no longer responsive to the hospitalization cost of the beneficiaries.  Lee stated that “Dahil sa inflation, umaaray ang lahat sa nagtaasang  presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo. For example, room rates in hospitals have increased—ang dating P1,000, nasa P1,500 na. At itong case rates o basehan kung gaano kalaki ang sinasagot ng PhilHealth sa mga bayarin sa pagpapagamot ng iba’t ibang sakit, 11 na taon na itong hindi narereview kung angkop at sapat pa ba ang naitutulong. Malaking bagay kung maitataas natin ng 30% ang sinasagot ng PhilHealth in all packages and benefits.” The lawmaker also said that PhilHealth should have no limit on its covered dialysis sessions, chemotherapy, heart bypass surgery, and other diagnostic tests and preventive measures to ease the burden of patients and their families.  “It is inevitable that our countrymen worry about getting sick because of the high costs of quality medical care. Kung ang mayayaman nga naba-bankrupt ‘pag tinamaan ng malubhang sakit, paano pa ang mahihirap nating kababayan?” the solon asked.  “Winner Tayo Lahat kung ang PhilHealth ay hindi umaastang isang state investment company, at kung tutuparin nito ang mandatong maging maaasahan, may puso at may malasakit na health insurance provider,” he added. Healthcare Policy Next Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News