Lee Champions Medicine Bank to Address Public Hospital Shortages
Lee Champions Medicine Bank to Address Public Hospital Shortages “Ang gamot at pagpapagamot, dapat libre, dapat sagot na ng gobyerno,” declared Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee as he proposed the establishment of a National Medicine Bank under House Bill No. 11082. The initiative seeks to collect donated pharmaceuticals and ensure their distribution to areas where they are most needed. Lee’s proposal addresses long-standing issues in public healthcare, including the frequent lack of medicine in government hospitals despite billions in allocated funds. “Many Filipinos are forced to endure illnesses or ration their medication because they simply cannot afford the costs or access the medicine they need,” Lee said. The Medicine Bank would work under the Department of Health (DOH), ensuring proper inventory and responsible management of donations. Lee hopes this will alleviate the financial and logistical burden on vulnerable sectors, particularly those in remote areas. As a staunch advocate for universal healthcare, Lee sees this measure as part of a broader effort to improve health services for Filipinos. “This is about fulfilling the government’s obligation to its people—no Filipino should suffer due to lack of access to life-saving medicines,” he said. #MedicineBankPH #UniversalHealthCare #WiseLeadership Healthcare Access and Equity Previous Post Latest Posts 28 Nov 2024 Lee Champions Medicine Bank to Address Public Hospital Shortages 27 Nov 2024 DOH Chief Must Resign Due To Undelivered Commitments – Lee 26 Nov 2024 National Medicine Bank: Lee’s Vision for Better Healthcare Access Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Criticizes DOH for Failing to Deliver Promised Healthcare Plan
Lee Criticizes DOH for Failing to Deliver Promised Healthcare Plan Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has publicly denounced the Department of Health (DOH) for its failure to submit a comprehensive plan to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs for Filipinos, a promise Health Secretary Ted Herbosa made during the House deliberations for the 2025 National Budget. The deadline for submission was October 31, 2024. The Bicolano lawmaker expressed frustration over the DOH’s inability to meet its commitments, which include ensuring the availability of essential medicines in government hospitals, creating a monitoring system for compliance, and presenting a timeline for acquiring medical equipment for public hospitals. “Empty promises are not enough,” Lee stated, emphasizing the importance of action over words. Lee wrote to Secretary Herbosa to remind him of the agreed commitments, but as of writing, no plan has been submitted, nor has the delay been explained. “Filipinos deserve a clear and actionable plan. This piecemeal approach to healthcare services won’t cut it anymore,” Lee remarked. With key deadlines for other commitments approaching, including 50% increases in PhilHealth benefits and free prescription glasses for adults and children this November, Lee reiterated his demand for accountability and immediate action from the DOH and PhilHealth. #AccountabilityNow #HealthcareForAll #WiseLeadership Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 15 Nov 2024 Lee Criticizes DOH for Failing to Deliver Promised Healthcare Plan 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 Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Monitors DOH, PhilHealth Promises for Increased Health Benefits
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Monitors DOH, PhilHealth Promises for Increased Health Benefits With PhilHealth’s recent fund reallocation, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee reminded DOH and PhilHealth of their commitments, including 80% coverage for cancer treatments, free diagnostic tests, and a 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits by November. Lee highlighted the urgency for implementation, pointing out that millions of Filipinos face delays in receiving essential healthcare services. “Hindi dapat pinatatagal ang mga serbisyong kailangan ng mga Pilipino,” Lee remarked, stressing the importance of quick action. #AffordableHealthcare #PhilHealthEnhancements #WilbertLeeForBetterHealth #HealthBenefitsNow Healthcare Policy 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
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee to DOH and PhilHealth: “Use Health Funds for People’s Health”
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee to DOH and PhilHealth: “Use Health Funds for People’s Health” As the P30 billion PhilHealth fund is transferred to support other government appropriations, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee keeps an eye on DOH and PhilHealth’s benefit expansion commitments. Lee, who successfully pushed for a 30% PhilHealth increase last February, urges the departments to focus on timely implementation. “Hindi dapat pabigat sa taumbayan,” Lee stated, advocating for immediate and comprehensive healthcare access for all Filipinos. #HealthcareExpansion #PhilHealthForThePeople #WilbertLeeHealthAdvocate #BudgetForHealth Healthcare Policy 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
Free Prescription Glasses, Optometric Services Lee Fought For To Benefit Millions Of Filipinos
Free Prescription Glasses, Optometric Services Lee Fought For To Benefit Millions Of Filipinos Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee who has been fighting for free optometric services and free eyeglasses since early this year, welcomed the inclusion of said services in PhilHealth benefit packages starting this November as announced by the state health insurer. Free optometric services and prescription glasses are among the health commitments secured by Lee and signed by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. before the approval of the DOH budget last September 25, 2024 at the House of Representatives. “This is long overdue. Masaya po tayong nalalapit na ang katuparan nito kung saan mahigit 40 milyong Pilipino ang makikinabang, mula bata hanggang sa ating mga senior citizens,” said Lee who is now in Bicol leading the relief operations for fellow Bicolanos who were heavily affected by the onslaught of severe tropical storm Kristine. The lawmaker is also distributing relief goods in other parts of the country affected by the calamity. “Malaking tulong ito lalo na sa mahihirap nating kababayan na tinitiis na lang ang malabong paningin o lumalala ang problema sa mata hanggang mabulag dahil walang pera para magpacheck-up at magpagawa ng salamin,” he added. The said pronouncement from the PhilHealth complies with the deadline that Lee set in the commitment letter to cover pediatrics and adult prescription glasses not later than November 30, 2024. Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO) President Dr. John Nakpil said that the commitment of the DOH and PhilHealth spearheaded by Lee led to the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to develop the guidelines for the implementation of free prescription glasses and optometric services. It can be recalled that as early as March 5, 2024, Lee filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1623 urging PhilHealth to include optometric services in its benefit package. According to IPAO Chairman Dr. Charlie Ho, Lee’s HR 1623 “paved the way and advocated for Filipinos’ right to comprehensive optometric services and free prescription eyeglasses to improve productivity and reduce the financial burden of Filipinos.” A staunch health advocate, Lee described the move as a significant step towards achieving broader healthcare access as part of the Universal Health Care Law, particularly for Filipinos struggling with vision problems. “Malaking tulong ito sa productivity ng ating mga kababayan. Magbibigay liwanag ito hindi lang sa paningin, kundi pati na sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay at kinabukasan ng milyon-milyon nating kababayan,” he said. Other health services included in the commitments from DOH and PhilHealth, among others, 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; “Patuloy po nating bantayan ang pagtupad ng DOH at PhilHealth sa mga ipinangako nilang serbisyong pangkalusugan na kailangang-kailangan at matagal nang inaasam ng ating mga kababayan. Huwag natin itong tantanan. Laban natin itong lahat!” Lee stated. 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