Lee Wants Free Vaccines For All Senior Citizens
Lee Wants Free Vaccines For All Senior Citizens Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee filed a measure to provide free vaccines against infectious diseases for senior citizens and protect their health and well-being. Lee’s House Bill (HB) No. 11055 or the “Safeguarding Seniors: Free Immunization Act of 2024” seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” by including all senior citizens, instead of being limited to indigents, to have free vaccination. The Bicolano lawmaker also proposed that aside from free vaccines for influenza virus and pneumococcal disease, free immunization should cover pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and diphtheria, and other diseases as the Department of Health (DOH) deems necessary. “Tayong mga Pilipino ay malaki ang pagpapahalaga sa ating mga lolo at lola, sa ating mga magulang na nag-alaga at nagpalaki sa atin, at nagtaguyod sa ating pamilya. Sa kanilang pagtanda, sila naman ang gusto nating arugain at talagang dapat pagkalooban ng karampatang kalinga,” he said. “Many diseases can have severe or even fatal effects for older adults, whose immune systems often become weaker as they age. Kaya napakahalaga ng bakuna para maiwasan ang mga sakit, lalo na kung gagawin itong libre at mas accessible para sa lahat ng ating senior citizens,” he added. For Lee, protecting senior citizens from diseases will not only sustain their health but will ease their concern from falling ill as they fear sinking further into poverty due to their inability to buy medicine or pay for hospital expenses. “Laging may pangamba ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ating senior citizens, na magkasakit, dahil ayaw na nilang maging pabigat pa sa pamilya, lalo sa mahal na gastos sa gamot at pagpapa-ospital. Kaya marami ang hinahayaan na lang ang karamdaman, hindi nagpapa-checkup at parang naghihintay na lang ng oras nila,” Lee remarked. “Hindi ito deserve ng bawat Pilipino lalo na ng ating mga senior citizens. Dapat siguruhin ng Estado na napapangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan at hindi na dapat nila problemahin kung saan sila kukuha ng pangbakuna,” he added. The solon from Bicol likewise underscored that the proposed free vaccination for all senior citizens is anchored on the promise of RA 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act,” saying, “Ito ang layunin ng Universal Health Care Law, na maging libre na ang gamot at pagpapagamot para sa lahat ng Pilipino.” “Ang pangarap ko sa bawat Pilipino: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko!” he said. Currently, Lee continues to monitor the implementation of the commitments he sealed from the DOH and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) during the last House Plenary Debates on the DOH 2025 Budget on September 25. Among the commitments he secured is for DOH to submit a comprehensive report on medicine and vaccines ensuring their availability in DOH retained and specialty hospitals starting fourth quarter of this year. Other commitments include free Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other diagnostic tests as part of outpatient services; at least 80% coverage for cancer treatments and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024; free optometric services and free eyeglasses and another 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits this November. “Nakatutok tayo sa pagtupad ng kasunduang ito na ipinangako ng DOH at PhilHealth sa milyon-milyon nating kababayan. Hindi dapat ipagkait sa mga Pilipino ang mga pondong inilaan para sa kanilang kalusugan. Hindi ito dapat bawasan o ilipat sa ibang programa na wala namang mamamatay kung hindi gawin, dahil lang sa kupad o hindi ito nagamit sa loob ng mahabang panahon,” he said. A staunch health advocate, Lee successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 14 after he exposed the billions of investible funds in the state health insurer’s coffers. The benefit hike includes increasing the PhilHealth benefit package for hemodialysis from P2,600 to P6,350 per session and from 90 sessions per year to 156 sessions annually, as well as the increase in breast cancer treatment coverage from P100,000 to P1.4 million. Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 14 Nov 2024 Lee Wants Free Vaccines For All Senior Citizens 14 Nov 2024 Lee Lauds Supreme Court’s TRO, Renews Call for Enhanced UHC Benefits 13 Nov 2024 PhilHealth Benefit Expansion: Lee Advocates Improvements in UHC Law Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Supreme Court Welcomes SC Decision to Stop PhilHealth Fund Transfer
Supreme Court Welcomes SC Decision to Stop PhilHealth Fund Transfer Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee is elated over the Supreme Court’s recent issuance of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), halting the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. Lee has passionately opposed the said transfer, advocating for PhilHealth funds to be strictly utilized for healthcare, reinforcing his call that “Ang pondo para sa kalusugan, gamitin para sa kalusugan!” (“Funds for health should be used for health!”). The TRO immediately blocked the intended transfer of P29.9 billion to the Treasury this November. This comes after the Department of Finance (DOF) transferred an initial P60 billion earlier this year under its Circular No. 003-2024 ordering the transfer of P89.9 billion excess funds. According to Lee, these billions could be directed to urgently needed health services for Filipinos instead of being channeled elsewhere. “Natutuwa po tayo sa desisyon na ito ng Korte Suprema na pagpapahinto sa paglipat ng pondo ng PhilHealth,” Lee stated, underscoring his relief at the ruling. He emphasized that PhilHealth’s surplus funds should be directed toward immediate healthcare improvements, particularly for underserved communities. Lee’s vocal stance on the issue began last year when he exposed the surplus, demanding that PhilHealth funds be used to improve essential health benefits rather than redirected for non-health purposes. Currently, Lee is providing relief efforts to communities in Bicol and other areas devastated by severe tropical storm Kristine, demonstrating his commitment to supporting Filipinos on multiple fronts. His efforts to protect PhilHealth funds reflect a broader mission to enhance healthcare access, reduce financial strain on Filipino families, and ensure government resources prioritize public health. #WiseHealth #HealthFunds #PhilHealth #TRO #HealthIsWealth Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 08 Nov 2024 Supreme Court Welcomes SC Decision to Stop PhilHealth Fund Transfer 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 Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Hails SC TRO On PhilHealth Fund Transfer, Renews Call For Expanded Health Benefits
Lee Hails SC TRO On PhilHealth Fund Transfer, Renews Call For Expanded Health Benefits “Ang pondo para sa kalusugan, gamitin para sa kalusugan!” This was reiterated by Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee as he welcomed the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court to stop the transfer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) excess funds to the National Treasury that he vehemently opposed. “Natutuwa po tayo sa desisyon na ito ng Korte Suprema na pagpapahinto sa paglipat ng pondo ng PhilHealth. Mula nga po nang na-expose natin yung sobra-sobrang pondo ng PhilHealth noong nakaraang taon pa, paulit-ulit tayong nangalampag, at ipinaglaban nating gamitin ang pondo para agarang tugunan ang kulang-kulang na serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa mga Pilipino,” said Lee who is currently leading various relief efforts in Bicol and other parts of the country heavily affected by severe tropical storm Kristine. The TRO will stop the supposed final tranche of the PhilHealth fund transfer this November amounting to P29.9 billion. As of Oct. 16, P60 billion had already been transferred to the National Treasury as ordered by the Department of Finance (DOF) through its Circular No. 003-2024. The Bicolano lawmaker opposed the said transfer, saying “Naninindigan po tayo na ang pondo para sa kalusugan ay hindi dapat gamitin sa mga programang hindi kasinghalaga ng kalusugan ng mga Pilipino, o yung wala namang mamamatay kung hindi gagawin.” “Imbes na sa PhilHealth bumawas ng pondo, kunin na lang sa iba pang GOCCs na may excess funds at hindi bahagi ng mandato ang social services. Dapat unahin ang dagdag na mga benepisyo mula sa PhilHealth. Kapag may sobra pa, pwedeng i-suspend o babaan ang contribution ng mga ordinaryong empleyado,” the solon earlier said. For Lee, with PhilHealth’s billions of available funds, the commitments he secured from the Department of Health (DOH) and the state health insurer to make radical improvements in the healthcare sector should be immediately implemented. “Walang dahilan ang DOH at PhilHealth na hindi tuparin ang mga itinulak natin at napagkasunduang pagpapalawak ng benepisyong pangkalusugan para sa mga Pilipino.” It can be recalled that during the last House Plenary Debates on the 2025 DOH Budget, Lee secured significant commitments signed by DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. Among the commitments sealed are: Free 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; At least 80% coverage for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024; 50% across-the-board PhilHealth benefit increases effective November 2024; Free pediatrics and adult prescription glasses effective November 2024. A staunch health advocate, the solon from Bicol successfully fought for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14. These include increasing the PhilHealth benefit package for hemodialysis from P2,600 to P6,350 per session and from 90 sessions per year to 156 sessions annually, as well as the increase in breast cancer treatment coverage from P100,000 to P1.4M. “Ang gobyerno, hindi dapat pabigat sa taumbayan. Tungkulin nitong pagaanin ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan, kasama na ang pagbura sa kanilang pangamba na magkasakit dahil sa takot na lalong malubog sa kahirapan dahil walang perang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital,” Lee said. “Marami pang kulang, hindi pwedeng tingi-tingi ang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan. Hangad po natin na ang gamot at pagpapagamot ng bawat Pilipino, sagot na ng gobyerno. Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko. Yan ang ating ipinaglalaban, at hindi po natin ito tatantanan!” he added. Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 08 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Secures Free Prescription Glasses in PhilHealth Package, Ensuring Eye Care for All 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 Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News