Agri PL-PhilHealth Partnership to Boost Info Dissemination and Access to Health Benefits for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and All Filipinos Nationwide – Lee
Agri PL-PhilHealth Partnership To Boost Info Dissemination, Access To Health Benefits For Farmers, Fisherfolk, All Filipinos Nationwide – Lee In an effort to boost information dissemination efforts on the health benefits for farmers, fisherfolk, and all Filipinos nationwide, AGRI Party-list represented by Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee entered into a partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) led by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. In a ceremony held in Taguig City on Monday, Lee signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PhilHealth to strengthen collaboration in providing more access to health services and benefits provided by the state health insurer for agricultural workers and all Filipinos. “As I always say, ‘Filipinos deserve better, and we should demand better.’ Patunay ang MOU na ito na hindi tayo puro salita, kundi seryoso talaga tayo sa mga ipinaglalaban natin. Today we elevate our efforts to inform our countrymen about the health services and benefits available to them,” Lee said during the program. “The commitment outlined in our Memorandum of Understanding boosts our information dissemination efforts through various platforms, programs and projects we have. We declare our unwavering dedication to equip our farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural workforce, and every Filipino with the right knowledge about the health benefits they are entitled to,” he added. For his part, PCEO Ledesma said: “I am pleased that PhilHealth is forging this partnership with AGRI Party-list at this opportune time as this will enable us to further strengthen our information dissemination campaign for all our members, especially those in the agriculture sector whose hardwork sustains our nation’s progress.” “The platform that will be provided by the AGRI Party-list will be one of the primary sources of information for our kababayans which will greatly help us in our efforts to circulate relevant and updated information on PhilHealth’s benefits and services through all possible avenues,” the PhilHealth Chief added. It can be recalled that Lee, a staunch health advocate, aggressively pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits after revealing during the Department of Health (DOH) budget hearing last September 2023 that the state health insurer had P466 billion investible funds and P68.4 billion net income, aside from the more than P100 billion government subsidy every year. The 30% increase in PhilHealth benefit packages took effect on February 14. “Kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa PhilHealth sa pangunguna ni PCEO Mandy Ledesma sa pakikinig sa ating mga panawagan o pangungulit,” Lee remarked. “Pero alam natin na hindi natatapos sa pagdaragdag ng mga health benefits ang ating trabaho. Dapat mabigyan ng access dito ang ating mga kababayan. Dahil paano mapapakinabangan ng mga Pilipino ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan ng ahensya kung hindi nila alam ang mga ito?” he asked. During the signing ceremony, the solon from Bicol underscored the importance of addressing the health concerns of Filipinos. “Sa pag-iikot natin sa buong bansa, bukod sa pagkain, kalusugan po ang dinadaing sa atin ng ating mga kababayan, na nahihirapan silang makatulog sa gabi dahil sa takot o pangamba na kapag may nagkasakit sa pamilya nila, wala silang pambili ng gamot, wala silang pambayad sa ospital, hindi sila makapagtrabaho. Natatakot sila na baka tuluyang mabaon sa utang at kahirapan, at wala nang pag-asang makaahon sa hirap ng buhay,” he pointed out. “Bawat impormasyon, programa, at mga pagbabago sa serbisyo ng PhilHealth ay sisikapin nating maiparating sa bawat Pilipino at sa lahat ng dako ng Pilipinas. Walang maiiwan, dapat alam ng lahat. Dahil lahat tayo, may karapatan sa maayos at de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Mayaman man o mahirap, may karapatang mabuhay,” he added. The signing of MOU, for Lee, is only the beginning of a long and meaningful partnership with PhilHealth to improve the country’s healthcare sector. “Magtulungan po tayo upang maipagkaloob sa mga Pilipino ang de-kalidad, abot-kaya, mapagmalasakit, at may pusong healthcare service para mabura ang pangamba ng mga Pilipino na lalo silang malulubog sa kahirapan kapag nagkasakit dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital. Kasabay nito ang pagsisikap natin para isulong ang tiyak na trabaho, dagdag na kita, at ang sapat at murang pagkain,” he said. “Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating bayanihan tungo sa isang malusog, maunlad at makatarungang lipunan kung saan Winner Tayo Lahat!” the solon added. Public Health Initiatives 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
With Over 40M Filipinos In Need Of Eye And Vision Care, Lee Urges PhilHealth To Cover Optometric Services
With Over 40M Filipinos In Need Of Eye And Vision Care, Lee Urges PhilHealth To Cover Optometric Services AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to include optometric services in the benefit coverage for its members and beneficiaries, stressing the importance of optometric interventions in preventing vision loss and improving the quality of life of millions of Filipinos. Speaking at the 7th Annual Conference of the Philippine Society of Public Health and Occupational Optometry (PSPHOO) held on March 16, Lee said: “While vision problems can be easily corrected with glasses or contacts, many Filipinos lack access to affordable eye care, affecting their productivity.” “Maraming bata ang pagkapanganak pa lang, may problema na sa mata, at milyon-milyon nating mga kababayan ang talagang apektado ang pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay dahil sa pagkabulag o malabong paningin,” the solon said. “If we’re talking about productivity, if we’re talking about food security, we should also be addressing the eye problems of our countrymen, and consider this as a primary healthcare issue,” he added. According to the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO), around 41.4 million of Filipinos need continuing eye and vision care, which include the number of the population with presbyopia and refractive errors. The Bicolano lawmaker stressed that unaddressed vision impairment has severe consequences which range from delayed development in chidren to social isolation, depression, and economic hardship in adults. Given the alarming number of Filipinos experiencing vision problems and blindness, Lee filed House Resolution No. 1623 urging the state health insurer to include optometric services under the benefit packages of PhilHealth. “Inclusion of these services under PhilHealth would make essential eye care affordable and accessible for Filipinos, allowing early detection and treatment of eye conditions,” the solon pointed out in the House Resolution. “It is crucial for the government to make efforts to increase the accessibility of optometrists’ services across the nation by utilizing mobile clinics, telemedicine, and community outreach initiatives, especially in isolated places through the support of PhilHealth,” he added. Lee revealed that he wrote and already had initial discussions with PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. regarding the matter, noting that “while PhilHealth covers various opthalmology services like eye surgery, consultations, and screening for certain eye problems, it excludes optometry services, which can detect vision impairment, encompassing conditions like refractive errors and affecting people’s lives.” “Clearly, timely eye care, with the help of PhilHealth, can mitigate the detrimental impact of vision impairment. Hindi natin ito tatantanan hangga’t hindi pa inaprubahan ng PhilHealth,” the lawmaker said. “Winner Tayo Lahat kung accessible, abot-kaya at maagap ang pagtugon sa problema sa mata ng milyon-milyong Pilipino. Hindi lang nito mababawasan ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan sa pagkakasakit sa mata at kawalan ng pantustos para maipagamot ito. Hindi lang ito magdudulot ng malinaw na paningin, kundi pati na rin ng maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added. Public Health Initiatives 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