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.