Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee to Hold DOH Accountable Over Slow PhilHealth Benefit Increases
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee to Hold DOH Accountable Over Slow PhilHealth Benefit Increases Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has vowed to hold the Department of Health (DOH) accountable during the House Plenary debates on its 2025 Proposed Budget, focusing on the department’s slow implementation of PhilHealth benefit increases. With billions in funds, Lee questioned why diagnostic tests like PET Scan, CT Scan, and MRI have yet to be included in urgent care packages. “Illness shouldn’t cost livelihoods,” Lee stressed, reiterating his call for a 50% increase in PhilHealth coverage. #HealthForAll #PhilHealthAccountability #WilbertLeeForChange #DOHBudgetDebates 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
Amid P30B fund transfer Lee Keeps An Eye On DOH, PhilHealth To Deliver Commitments
Amid P30B fund transfer Lee Keeps An Eye On DOH, PhilHealth To Deliver Commitments As the P30 billion fund of the Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) is scheduled to be transferred today to the National Treasury to fund unprogrammed appropriations, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee reminds the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth of lowering the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos that they committed during the House Plenary budget deliberations. Lee reiterates that PhilHealth’s excess funds should be used for expanding its health benefits. But even with the return of P89.9 billion to state coffers, there are still billions of available PhilHealth funds that he exposed last year, and there is no reason not to increase the state health insurer’s benefit packages. “Naninindigan tayo na ang pondo para sa kalusugan ay dapat gamitin para sa kalusugan. Hindi ito dapat gamitin sa mga proyekto na di kasing halaga ng kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan, o sa proyektong wala namang mamamatay kung hindi gawin,” the Bicolano lawmaker stated. “Sinusubaybayan natin ang progreso sa mga dagdag na serbisyong pangkalusugan na nakatakdang ipatupad ng DOH at PhilHealth simula Nobyembre. These benefit enhancements are long overdue,” he added. Lee is referring to the commitments signed by DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. which he secured during the House Plenary deliberations on September 25. These include: At least 80% coverage for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, and heart bypass and other procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024; 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; 50% across-the-board PhilHealth benefit increases effective November 2024; Free pediatrics and adult prescription glasses effective November 2024. Lee stressed the need for DOH and PhilHealth to collaborate as there are less than two months remaining to fulfill the 50% across-the-board PhilHealth benefit increase and provide free prescription glasses. “Milyon-milyong Pilipino ang araw-araw nagtitiis at lumalala ang sakit, o sa kasamaang palad ay namamatay, nang hindi man lang nagagamot o nakakatuntong sa ospital dahil sa dagdag pangambang dulot ng mahal na gamot at pagpapagamot,” he said. With the recent implementation of an increase in the hemodialysis package from P4,000 to P6,350 per session, the solon said that other health services should also be implemented soon such as the enhancement of Konsulta, PhilHealth’s primary care benefit package. A staunch health advocate, Lee successfully pushed for a 30% across-the-board increase in PhilHealth benefits last February 14, after more than a decade of these not being adjusted or reviewed by the DOH and PhilHealth. “Hindi tayo dapat pabigat sa taumbayan. Hindi na dapat pinatatagal ang implementasyon ng mga serbisyong kailangang-kailangan ng mga Pilipino, lalo na’t nandyan na ang pondo. Gawin na natin ito hanggang sa maging libre ang gamot at pagpapagamot,” the solon 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
Lee Respects Filing Of Ethics Complaint Of Fellow Lawmakers
Lee Respects Filing Of Ethics Complaint Of Fellow Lawmakers “Hindi po natin kailanman magiging intensyon ang manakit o mambully.” This was the statement of Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee over the decision of his fellow lawmakers in filing an ethics complaint against him. “Iginagalang po natin ito bilang karapatan ng kapwa natin mambabatas,” Lee said. The Bicolano lawmaker further said that he had no intention to disrespect the institution and that his action was brought upon by his impassioned advocacy to put on record the commitments he secured from the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on lowering the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos. 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, Lee persistently and successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14. “Naninindigan po tayo sa hangarin nating tugunan na ang kulang-kulang at napakamahal na mga benepisyong pangkalusugan na isiniwalat natin noong nakaraang taon pa, at mahigit isang dekadang hindi inaksyunan ng DOH at PhilHealth,” the solon from Bicol remarked. It can be recalled that Lee deferred the budget of DOH and its attached agencies during the House plenary debates on September 23 due to his dissatisfaction over its lack of urgency and inaction on expanding PhilHealth benefit coverage despite the state health insurer’s billions of available funds that he exposed during the DOH budget briefing last year. Lee stated that he will explain his side once summoned by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges saying, “Hinihintay lang po natin na makakuha ng opisyal na kopya para makatugon sa nasabing ethics complaint.” 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
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Blocks DOH Budget Over Lack of Action on PhilHealth Reforms
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Blocks DOH Budget Over Lack of Action on PhilHealth Reforms Frustrated by the lack of a clear plan from the Department of Health (DOH), Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has deferred the 2025 budget of the agency, demanding concrete steps to reduce Filipinos’ out-of-pocket medical expenses. Lee’s move highlights the urgency of PhilHealth reform, as delays in implementing increased benefits have left millions of Filipinos struggling with healthcare costs. “Nakakadismaya po itong ginagawa ng DOH,” Lee lamented, pushing for immediate action and accountability from the PhilHealth Benefits Committee. #HealthcareReformNow #PhilHealthChanges #WilbertLeeForThePeople #DOHBudgetBlocked Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues 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 Grill DOH Over Delays in PhilHealth Benefits Expansion
Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee to Grill DOH Over Delays in PhilHealth Benefits Expansion During the House Plenary debates on the proposed 2025 budget for the Department of Health (DOH), Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee is set to question the lack of urgency in expanding PhilHealth benefits despite the insurer’s billions in available funds. Lee, a staunch health advocate, has long pushed for the increase in health benefits and inclusion of costly diagnostic tests in PhilHealth’s urgent care packages. “Sa kabila ng bilyon-bilyong pondo, bakit tingi-tingi at pinatatagal ang mga benepisyo?” Lee asked, calling for swift action on much-needed healthcare services. #PhilHealthReforms #HealthAccessForAll #WilbertLeeAdvocacy #DOHAccountability Healthcare Access and Equity Previous PostNext 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