Manoy Wilbert ‘Wise’ Lee: Strengthening Healthcare Amid Rising Medical Costs
Manoy Wilbert ‘Wise’ Lee: Strengthening Healthcare Amid Rising Medical Costs The projected 18.3% increase in healthcare costs in the Philippines this year has prompted AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial aspirant Manoy Wilbert Lee to renew his call for sweeping reforms in the country’s healthcare system. With PhilHealth holding over ₱500 billion in funds and a ₱100 billion annual government subsidy, Lee is urging immediate action to expand benefits and alleviate the burden on Filipinos. A Troubling Forecast A recent Global Medical Trends Survey by WTW revealed that the Philippines is second only to Indonesia in Asia Pacific when it comes to rising medical costs. This double-digit increase threatens to exacerbate the challenges faced by Filipinos, many of whom already struggle to afford hospital bills and essential medicines. “Kung magmamahal pa ang pagpapa-ospital ngayong taon, hindi rin gaanong mararamdaman ang mga dagdag na benepisyong ipinatupad ng PhilHealth,” Lee remarked, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue to ensure Filipinos are not left behind. Utilizing PhilHealth’s Resources With PhilHealth holding significant financial reserves, Lee argues that there is no excuse for delays in expanding benefits. “DOH as the head of PhilHealth Board and the state health insurer itself must ramp up its efforts to utilize the more than ₱500 billion available funds to further increase the benefits,” he stated. Lee has already made significant strides in healthcare reform. In February 2024, his efforts led to a 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits—the first major adjustment in over a decade. This was followed by a 50% increase covering 9,000 case rates, a milestone that reflects Lee’s relentless push for accessible healthcare. Unfulfilled Promises and Delays Despite these achievements, Lee highlights the need for PhilHealth and DOH to fulfill their remaining commitments. During the 2025 DOH Budget deliberations, he secured agreements to implement additional benefits, including free dialysis, expanded coverage for heart ailments, and free diagnostic tests such as CT scans and MRIs. However, these promises remain unrealized, prompting Lee to demand accountability. “Kung kailangan mag-overtime ng DOH at PhilHealth, gawin na ito. Walang dapat sayangin dahil buhay ng mga kababayan natin ang nakasalalay dito,” he stressed. Milestones in Healthcare Advocacy Lee’s advocacy has already brought significant improvements to the healthcare system, including: Free dialysis treatments for patients in need. An increase in breast cancer treatment coverage from ₱100,000 to ₱1.4 million. Free eye checkups, cataract extractions, and prescription glasses. Expanded benefit packages for outpatient emergency care and kidney transplants. These reforms reflect Lee’s commitment to easing the financial burden on Filipino families and ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all. A Vision of Universal Healthcare At the core of Lee’s campaign is his vision for Universal Health Care, where every Filipino has access to free medicines and treatments. His slogan, “Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko,” underscores his belief that the government has a responsibility to provide comprehensive healthcare services. “Patuloy natin itong ipaglalaban dahil ang layunin ko: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko!” Lee declared. His vision resonates with millions of Filipinos who dream of a healthcare system that prioritizes compassion, equity, and quality. The Path Forward As healthcare costs continue to rise, Lee remains steadfast in his mission to push for reforms that address these challenges. He calls on Filipinos to join his advocacy, stating, “Ituloy lang natin ang paniningil at lakasan pa natin ang ating boses para tuluyang makamit ang isang patas, de-kalidad, at mapagmalasakit na serbisyong pangkalusugan sa bansa.” Lee’s leadership offers hope amid mounting healthcare challenges. His tireless efforts to hold institutions accountable and advocate for expanded benefits ensure that Filipinos will not face these rising costs alone. A Legacy of Service Manoy Wilbert Lee’s work in healthcare reform is more than just policy—it is a testament to his commitment to improving the lives of every Filipino. As the nation grapples with rising medical expenses, Lee’s advocacy provides a blueprint for a future where healthcare is a right, not a privilege. #ManoyWilbertWiseLee #GamotMoSagotKo #PhilHealthReforms #HealthcareAccessibility #UniversalHealthcarePH Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 15 Jan 2025 Manoy Wilbert 'Wise' Lee: Strengthening Healthcare Amid Rising Medical Costs 15 Jan 2025 LEE DEMANDS DOH TO PROVIDE MORE EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, SEEKS AMNESTY ON HOSPITALS, DOCTORS WITH UNRESOLVED CASES 10 Jan 2025 Amid Rising Costs, Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Swift PhilHealth Reforms Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Amid Rising Costs, Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Swift PhilHealth Reforms
Amid Rising Costs, Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Swift PhilHealth Reforms As the Philippines faces a projected 18.3% increase in healthcare costs in 2024, Representative Manoy Wilbert Lee is leading the charge for urgent reforms in the country’s healthcare system. With the rise in medical expenses threatening to overwhelm many Filipinos, Lee is calling on the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth to intensify their efforts to expand benefits and fully utilize available funds. A Healthcare Crisis Looming A recent Global Medical Trends Survey by WTW places the Philippines among the Asia Pacific countries with the highest anticipated healthcare cost increases this year, second only to Indonesia. This troubling trend has raised alarms, as Filipinos already grapple with the burden of expensive medical treatments and hospitalization. “Kung magmamahal pa ang pagpapa-ospital ngayong taon, hindi rin gaanong mararamdaman ang mga dagdag na benepisyong ipinatupad ng PhilHealth,” Lee warned. He emphasized that the rising costs would dilute the impact of recent benefit enhancements unless swift and substantial reforms are implemented. PhilHealth’s Half a Trillion Peso Potential PhilHealth has more than ₱500 billion in available funds, aside from its ₱100 billion annual government subsidy. Lee argues that these resources must be mobilized immediately to meet the demands of Universal Health Care. “Walang dapat sayangin dahil buhay ng mga kababayan natin ang nakasalalay dito,” he stressed. Lee’s advocacy has already resulted in historic reforms, including a 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits in February 2024 and a 50% increase covering 9,000 case rates. While these achievements are significant, he believes there is still much work to be done. “Nadagdagan na ang mga benepisyo, pero kaya pang bilisan at dagdagan ang mga ito,” Lee said, urging PhilHealth to implement reforms with urgency. Delays in Promised Reforms During the 2025 DOH Budget deliberations, Lee secured commitments from DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa and PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. to enhance healthcare services. These commitments included expanded benefits for heart ailments, outpatient emergency care services, and kidney transplants, as well as free diagnostic tests such as CT scans and MRIs. However, many of these promises remain unfulfilled. Lee continues to hold PhilHealth and DOH accountable for their delays, urging them to work overtime if necessary. “Kung kailangan mag-overtime ng DOH at PhilHealth, gawin na ito,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of delivering on these commitments without further delay. Achievements in Healthcare Advocacy Lee’s dedication to healthcare reform has already brought tangible benefits to millions of Filipinos. Among his notable accomplishments are: Free dialysis treatments for those in need. Increased breast cancer treatment coverage from ₱100,000 to ₱1.4 million. Free eye checkups, cataract extractions, and prescription glasses. Expanded PhilHealth coverage for critical treatments such as heart ailments and kidney transplants. These reforms, while significant, represent only a fraction of Lee’s broader vision for Universal Health Care. A Vision for Free Healthcare At the heart of Lee’s advocacy is his belief that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. His slogan, “Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko,” underscores his goal of making medicines and treatments accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of their financial circumstances. “Patuloy natin itong ipaglalaban dahil ang layunin ko: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko!” Lee declared. His relentless efforts have inspired a growing movement among Filipinos who share his vision of an equitable healthcare system. Rallying Filipinos for Change Lee’s message is clear: the fight for better healthcare requires collective action. “Ituloy lang natin ang paniningil at lakasan pa natin ang ating boses,” he urged, encouraging Filipinos to join his call for meaningful and lasting reforms. As the country braces for rising healthcare costs, Lee’s leadership offers a beacon of hope. His commitment to holding institutions accountable and pushing for bold reforms ensures that the welfare of every Filipino remains a top priority. #ManoyWilbertWiseLee #HealthcareReforms #GamotMoSagotKo #PhilHealthUpdates #UniversalHealthCarePH Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 15 Jan 2025 Amid Rising Costs, Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Swift PhilHealth Reforms 15 Jan 2025 LEE DEMANDS DOH TO PROVIDE MORE EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, SEEKS AMNESTY ON HOSPITALS, DOCTORS WITH UNRESOLVED CASES 09 Jan 2025 Manoy Wilbert 'Wise' Lee: Doubling Down on PhilHealth Benefits Amid Rising Health Care Costs Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
LEE MARKS 2024 WITH BIG WINS, VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR BETTER SERVICES FILIPINOS DESERVE
LEE MARKS 2024 WITH BIG WINS, VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR BETTER SERVICES FILIPINOS DESERVE Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee is elated over the productive year in fighting for meaningful measures to ease the burden and allay the concerns of Filipinos, especially the vulnerable sectors. “Nagpapasalamat po tayo, unang-una sa Panginoon, sa mga biyaya at tagumpay na nakamit natin nitong nagdaang taon, sa pagsusulong ng mga polisiya at batas para mapagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ng mas nangangailangan,” Lee said. “Sa kabila po ng mga hinaharap nating hamon at darating pang pagsubok, sama-sama nating salubungin ang Bagong Taon na puno ng pag-asa, tatag ng loob at malasakit sa isa’t isa. Patuloy po sana tayong magtulungan para mabawasan ang pangamba ng bawat Pilipino, kasama ang mga kababayan nating nakikipagsapalaran sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo,” he added. The Bicolano lawmaker also took the time to thank his colleagues in the House of Representatives and his staff saying, “I thank all of you for your support for our shared causes. There may have been hardships, like in any other endeavor, but without your solidarity and compassion, we would not have been able to reach this point.” As a staunch health advocate, Lee cemented his legacy in fighting for the needed increase in benefits provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). As the lawmaker who first exposed the hundreds of billions of funds of PhilHealth in September 2023, Lee made great strides as he successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits, implemented last February 14. Through his persistent efforts, PhilHealth also implemented more benefits enhancements such as free dialysis and the increase in coverage for breast cancer treatment from P100,000 to P1.4 million. Lee also prevailed in including free eye checkup, free cataract extraction and free prescription glasses and another round of 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits, and pushing for expanded benefits on heart ailments, new benefit packages for outpatient emergency care services and kidney transplant. “Marami na tayong napagtagumpayan ngunit hindi po dito natatapos ang ating paniningil at pangangalampag sa Deparment of Health (DOH) at PhilHealth hanggang maging libre na ang gamot at pagpapagamot. Dahil ang ipinaglalaban ko: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko!” he stressed. AGRI Party-list, under Lee’s leadership, also doubled down in championing legislative measures to protect the livelihood of farmers, fisherfolk and local food producers, to provide long-term solutions to rising prices of food, and achieve food security. Among Lee’s principally authored legislations that passed into law this year are Republic Act (RA) No. 11985 or the “Philippine Salt Industry Development Act”, RA 12022 or the “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act” and RA 12078 or the “Agricultural Tariffication Act (RA 12078)”. AGRI Party-list, likewise, continues to push for the passage of the “Cheaper Rice Act,” “Post-harvest Facilities Act,” Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act” and “Fishing Shelters and Ports Act”. For 2025, Lee expressed hope for continued strength, optimism and compassion in achieving the Filipino’s dream. “Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa lumalawak pang suporta ng ating mga kababayan sa ating mga ipinaglalabang dagdag na serbisyo at benepisyo na karapatan at deserve nilang matanggap. Sa patuloy po ninyong tiwala at pakikipagtulungan, marami pa tayong mapagtatagumpayan sa mga susunod na taon,” the solon from Bicol said. “Wishing you a Grace-filled and Happy New Year! God bless us all!” he concluded. ### Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 31 Dec 2024 LEE MARKS 2024 WITH BIG WINS, VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR BETTER SERVICES FILIPINOS DESERVE 29 Dec 2024 Is this the best you can do? PHILHEALTH ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH NEW BENEFITS BUT STILL NEEDS TO DO MORE – LEE 28 Dec 2024 Lee Urges DOH to Prioritize Healthcare, Fast-Track Benefit Enhancements Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Calls for Accountability in PhilHealth Fund Utilization, Slams Delays
Lee Calls for Accountability in PhilHealth Fund Utilization, Slams Delays Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has called out the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth for their failure to efficiently utilize available funds, which has led to the removal of government subsidies for 2025. Lee warned that the lack of a clear plan and slow implementation of benefits are jeopardizing the health and well-being of millions of Filipinos. “PhilHealth’s ₱500 billion investible funds are not a surplus—they’re resources meant to alleviate the healthcare burdens of our people. Yet, these funds remain largely untapped while many Filipinos forgo necessary treatments due to high costs,” Lee said. He described the delays in benefit enhancements as a systemic failure, criticizing DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa for his lack of action despite commitments made during budget deliberations. Lee noted that commitments such as free eye checkups, expanded heart procedure coverage, and a 50% increase in some PhilHealth case rates were recently approved. However, he stressed that these initiatives are long overdue and insufficient to address the healthcare needs of the nation. “Every day of inaction adds to the suffering of Filipinos. We need leaders who prioritize healthcare over bureaucracy. If we continue at this pace, the Filipino people will never receive the care they deserve,” Lee stated, reiterating his call for leadership changes in the DOH. #UniversalHealthCare #StopTheDelays #WiseAdvocacy Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 30 Dec 2024 Lee Calls for Accountability in PhilHealth Fund Utilization, Slams Delays 23 Dec 2024 Filipinos deserve better! LEE DEMANDS IMPROVED PH HEALTHCARE SERVICES BY 2025 20 Dec 2024 Lee Slams Budget Cuts for PhilHealth, Urges Support for Vulnerable Filipinos Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News