Lee Urges Immediate Release Of Gov’t Health Workers’ Long-Delayed Performance Based Bonuses
Lee Urges Immediate Release Of Gov’t Health Workers’ Long-Delayed Performance Based Bonuses “Ibigay ang dapat ibigay sa ating health workers!” This was the sentiment of Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee as he called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) to expedite the release of long-delayed Performance-Based Bonuses (PBB) for government health workers, and stressed their vital role as frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our health workers continue to brave life-threatening conditions, whether there is pandemic or not, to save countless lives. Hindi katanggap-tanggap at hindi makatarungan na hindi ito naibibigay sa kanila,” Lee said in a statement. “Hindi ito kabayaran, kundi pagkilala sa kanilang mga sakripisyo at pagpapahalaga sa kanilang kabayanihan. Hindi na nga dapat pahirapan o ipinapanawagan pa ito, dapat agaran na itong ibinibigay,” he added. The Bicolano lawmaker said that the annual PBBs, which have been unpaid for the past three years, would provide much-needed financial relief, especially for health workers who were affected by recent natural calamities affecting different parts of the country. “Isang insulto sa mga sakripisyo ng health workers ang matagal na pag-release ng kanilang bonus,” Lee said. “Sa kasagsagan ng pandemya, ginusto ba nating tipirin nila tayo ng kalinga at dedikasyon para mapagaling tayo sa sakit? Bakit ngayon parang tinitipid sila ng gobyerno?” he pointed out. Lee urged the DBM and DOH to prioritize the welfare of the health workers, citing their critical role in addressing the nation’s health emergencies. “We owe it to them to ensure that they are supported and valued. This is the least we can do for those who risked their lives for us. Kaya dapat ang gobyerno, hindi na maging pabigat pa sa kanila,” the solon from Bicol said. He likewise called for transparency and accountability from the agencies involved, stressing that health workers and the public deserve to know the reasons behind the protracted delays. “Huwag hintaying lumipas na naman ang isang taon bago nila makuha ito. Our health workers deserve better!” Lee stressed. The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) earlier appealed to DBM and DOH for the release of their PBBs, stating that many of their colleagues in government hospitals have been struggling to make ends meet. The AHW previously noted that the bonuses from as far back as 2021 remain unpaid, with no clear timeline for their disbursement. Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 08 Dec 2024 Lee Urges Immediate Release Of Gov't Health Workers’ Long-Delayed Performance Based Bonuses 06 Dec 2024 Lee to DOH, PhilHealth: Prioritize Healthcare Payments of Indigent Patients, Simplify Processes 05 Dec 2024 Lee Calls for Streamlined PhilHealth Requirements to Aid Indigent Patients Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs
Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee slammed the Department of Health (DOH) for being unable to provide a detailed and comprehensive plan to lower out-of-pocket expenses of Filipinos on healthcare which Secretary Ted Herbosa committed to submit by October 31, 2024 during the House deliberations of the 2025 National Budget. The said plan must include a comprehensive report on medicines and vaccines, ensuring availability of drugs and medicines in the DOH retained and specialty hospital starting fourth quarter of this year, and establishment of a monitoring system to ensure compliance and provide quarterly reports to the House Committee on Health and Committee on Appropriations. Further, Lee asked for a definite timeline in acquiring medical equipment for public hospitals. “Bilang Kalihim ng Kalusugan at Tagapangulo ng Board of Directors at Benefits Committee ng PhilHealth, hindi pwedeng hanggang sa pangako lang ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan na opisyal naming nilagdaan at inilahad ko sa Kongreso,” said Lee referring to the health commitments signed by Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. “Tulad ng nauna ko nang sinabi, kung walang balak si Sec. Herbosa na tuparin ito, dapat magbitiw na siya sa puwesto. Hindi tayo titigil sa paniningil at pagpapanagot kung mauuwi ito sa pagpapaasa na naman sa milyon-milyong Pilipino sa mga serbisyong deserve at karapatan nilang makuha sa ilalim ng Universal Health Care Law,” the solon added. Lee wrote letters addressed to the Health Secretary reminding the agency of the said commitments, primarily the plan to reduce Filipino spending on hospitalization costs and health services. Nonetheless, as of writing, the said plan has not been submitted by DOH without any explanation on the delay. “Kailangan ng komprehensibong plano na pundasyon ng epektibong pagpapatupad ng hinihingi nating mga dagdag na mga benepisyo. Hindi pwedeng daanin na naman tayo sa pandidribble at tingi-tinging mga serbisyo,” he said. Lee further stated the other commitments nearing its deadline such as 50% across-the-board PhilHealth benefit increases and free pediatrics and adult prescription glasses that must be implemented this November. “Nakita na natin ang pag-usad sa dapat na implementasyon ng libreng check-up sa mata at pagpapagawa ng salamin ng PhilHealth. Naghihintay tayo para sa napagkasunduang 50% na dagdag na mga benepisyo na dapat na ring ipatupad ng DOH at PhilHealth ngayong buwan,” the solon from Bicol said. Apart from the mentioned commitments, it can be recalled that during the last House Plenary Debates on the DOH 2025 Budget on September 25, Lee secured other commitments such as free Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other diagnostic tests as part of outpatient services, and at least 80% coverage for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 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. “Sa laban para sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino, hindi pwede ang mga serbisyong huwad at pagpapanggap lang. Dahil habang pinatatagal at ipinagkakait ang mga dagdag na mga benepisyong pangkalusugan, maraming Pilipino ang namamatay at lumalala ang sakit, na nagpapaguho sa mga pangarap ng pamilya at lalong nagpapalubog sa ating mga kababayan sa kahirapan,” Lee said. “Laban natin itong lahat para makamit ang pangarap at hangarin ng mga Pilipino na maging libre na ang gamot at pagpapagamot. Ibigay na ang kayang ibigay! Bilyon-bilyong pondo para sa kalusugan, gamitin sa kalusugan!” he added. Healthcare Policy Previous 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