Wilbert Lee Pushes for Reforms to Maximize PhilHealth Benefits

Wilbert Lee Pushes for Reforms to Maximize PhilHealth Benefits Congressman Lee Pushes for Reforms to Strengthen PhilHealth Benefits Bicolano lawmaker Wilbert Lee is advocating for systemic reforms to ensure that the expanded PhilHealth benefits truly benefit Filipinos. Speaking during a recent health committee hearing, Lee called for the government to invest in public hospital upgrades and resolve systemic issues in PhilHealth claims processing. “Ang expanded PhilHealth benefits ay makakatulong lamang kung may sapat na kagamitan ang ating mga ospital. Kailangan ng konkretong solusyon para sa kakulangan sa pasilidad,” Lee said. Ensuring Access to Diagnostic Tools for PhilHealth Patients Lee highlighted the lack of essential medical equipment in many public hospitals, such as PET scans, CT scans, and MRI machines. He pointed out that while PhilHealth benefits now cover these diagnostic procedures, patients in underserved areas often have to travel to major cities for testing, creating additional burdens for them and their families. “Paano makikinabang ang ating mga kababayan kung ang PET scan ay nasa iilang ospital lang?” Lee asked. He urged the Department of Health to accelerate its Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) to ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of location, can access life-saving services covered by PhilHealth benefits. Comprehensive Solutions to Improve PhilHealth Services Lee also proposed an amnesty program for hospitals and doctors with unresolved PhilHealth claims, which he said often lead to service disruptions. He emphasized the importance of resolving these cases to prevent hospitals from being suspended, which ultimately affects patients’ access to care. PhilHealth CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. expressed strong support for Lee’s reforms, highlighting how they address long-standing issues in the healthcare system. Lee concluded by calling for a collaborative effort between the government and private sector to improve PhilHealth benefits and healthcare access for all Filipinos. #PhilHealthBenefits #HealthReforms #HospitalImprovements #QualityHealthcare #PhilHealthExpansion Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 28 Jan 2025 Wilbert Lee Pushes for Reforms to Maximize PhilHealth Benefits 22 Jan 2025 Public Hospitals Need Upgrades to Support New PhilHealth Benefits 20 Jan 2025 Lee Calls for More Equipment, Improved Hospitals to Fully Realize PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Public Hospitals Need Upgrades to Support New PhilHealth Benefits

Public Hospitals Need Upgrades to Support New PhilHealth Benefits Hospital Upgrades Critical for Expanded PhilHealth Benefits Congressman Wilbert Lee has called for urgent improvements in public hospitals to align with the expanded PhilHealth benefits. Speaking at a recent House Committee on Health hearing, Lee emphasized that while PhilHealth benefits have been increased, the lack of equipment and infrastructure in public hospitals hinders the delivery of services to millions of Filipinos. “Masasayang ang PhilHealth benefits kung wala namang pasilidad na kayang magbigay ng serbisyong kailangan ng pasyente,” Lee said. He pointed out that hospitals in rural areas are particularly under-equipped, leaving patients with no choice but to travel long distances for diagnostic tests. Bridging the Gap Between PhilHealth Benefits and Healthcare Access Lee underscored the importance of equipping public hospitals with essential tools such as PET scans, CT scans, and MRI machines to ensure all Filipinos can utilize their PhilHealth benefits. “Maraming Pilipino ang hindi bumabalik sa ospital kapag sinabing kailangan ng CT scan dahil mahal at malayo. Kung may kagamitan ang public hospitals, mas madali nilang mapakinabangan ang PhilHealth,” he explained. The congressman noted that while PhilHealth benefits now cover a wide range of treatments and services—including free dialysis, expanded cancer treatment, and outpatient emergency care—hospitals must be ready to accommodate these needs. Reforms to Enhance Public Hospital Services In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Lee pushed the institution of amnesty for hospitals and healthcare providers with unresolved PhilHealth claims. He highlighted that minor errors, such as late filings, often result in hefty penalties and suspensions, which limit hospital operations and affect patients relying on PhilHealth benefits. PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. supported Lee’s proposals, stating, “These reforms will address systemic problems and improve healthcare access for Filipinos.” Lee also called for a stronger information campaign to educate Filipinos about their PhilHealth benefits and how to maximize them. #PhilHealthBenefits #HealthcareAccess #PublicHospitalReforms #BetterHealthcare #PhilHealthCoverage Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 23 Jan 2025 Public Hospitals Need Upgrades to Support New PhilHealth Benefits 20 Jan 2025 Lee Calls for More Equipment, Improved Hospitals to Fully Realize PhilHealth Benefits 15 Jan 2025 LEE DEMANDS DOH TO PROVIDE MORE EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, SEEKS AMNESTY ON HOSPITALS, DOCTORS WITH UNRESOLVED CASES Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Calls for More Equipment, Improved Hospitals to Fully Realize PhilHealth Benefits

Lee Calls for More Equipment, Improved Hospitals to Fully Realize PhilHealth Benefits Congressman Wilbert Lee Advocates for Improved Hospitals to Maximize PhilHealth Benefits Bicolano Congressman Wilbert Lee has emphasized the need for public hospital improvements to ensure that Filipinos can fully benefit from the expanded PhilHealth benefits. During the House Committee on Health hearing, Lee pointed out that the lack of essential medical equipment in public hospitals further hinders access to the services that PhilHealth benefits are meant to provide. “Ang mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth ay nasasayang kung walang sapat na kagamitan at pasilidad,” Lee said. He called on the Department of Health (DOH) to fast-track the procurement of diagnostic tools such as CT scans, PET scans, and MRI machines under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP). Gaps in Medical Equipment Hinder Access to PhilHealth Benefits Lee stressed that while PhilHealth benefits cover some diagnostic tests and treatments, many public hospitals across the country lack the necessary equipment to deliver these services. “Napakarami nating kababayan ang hindi nakikinabang sa PhilHealth dahil kailangan pa nilang bumiyahe nang malayo para sa CT scan o MRI,” he explained. Currently, only a few hospitals, such as the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), have PET scan machines. This limitation delays critical diagnoses and treatments, especially for Filipinos in rural areas who rely on PhilHealth benefits to reduce medical costs. Amnesty for Hospitals to Improve Healthcare Access To complement the expanded PhilHealth benefits, Lee also proposed a measure providing amnesty for hospitals and doctors with unresolved cases involving denied PhilHealth claims. According to Lee, these unresolved cases often lead to penalties and hospital suspensions, disrupting healthcare services for patients. “Kailangan nating i-address ang mga problema sa claims para mas maraming ospital ang makapagbigay ng serbisyo,” Lee said. PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. expressed full support for the proposal, stating that resolving these cases would improve the overall healthcare system. Lee reiterated his commitment to fighting for improved PhilHealth benefits, better public hospitals, and affordable healthcare for all Filipinos. “Ang layunin natin ay libreng gamot at pagpapagamot para sa lahat. Kailangang magtulungan ang gobyerno at pribadong sektor para makamit ito.” #PhilHealthBenefits #HospitalUpgrades #HealthcareForAll #MedicalEquipment #BetterPublicHospitals Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 20 Jan 2025 Lee Calls for More Equipment, Improved Hospitals to Fully Realize PhilHealth Benefits 15 Jan 2025 LEE DEMANDS DOH TO PROVIDE MORE EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, SEEKS AMNESTY ON HOSPITALS, DOCTORS WITH UNRESOLVED CASES 11 Jan 2025 Manoy Wilbert 'Wise' Lee: Strengthening Healthcare Amid Rising Medical Costs Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News