Lee Demands Urgent UHC Amendments For Better Health Benefits, Lower Member Contributions
Lee Demands Urgent UHC Amendments For Better Health Benefits, Lower Member Contributions “Gamot at pagpapagamot ng Pilipino, dapat sagot ng gobyerno!” This was the statement of Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee as he urged the passage of the amendments on the Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 or the “Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act” to institutionalize the comprehensive and appropriate increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits and lower the contribution of its members, among others. Lee filed House Bill No. 10995 which amends the UHC Act to resolve issues hampering genuine universal healthcare for Filipinos. “Various challenges and issues hinder the objectives of the UHC. These include lack of legal provisions that mandate the regular and periodic review of the responsiveness of benefit packages that should lower the out-of-pocket medical costs of Filipinos, inefficiencies in managing funds, and public health emergencies that disrupt the law’s implementation,” the Bicolano lawmaker lamented. “Ilang taon na mula nang naisabatas ang Universal Healthcare Act pero nandyan pa rin ang matinding pangamba ng mga Pilipino sa pagkakasakit dahil sa takot na malubog sa utang at kahirapan dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital. Hindi ito deserve ng Pilipino. Kailangang palakasin pa ang UHC Law para mas mabawasan ang pasanin at alalahanin ng ating mga kababayan sa kanilang kalusugan,” he added. Among the key changes included in Lee’s measure is the provision that the Health Technology Assessment Council will review and assess the amounts of each PhilHealth benefit package and ensure that these are up-to-date. Additionally, HB 10995 seeks to lower the premium contributions of PhilHealth members. Instead of the law’s mandated 5% premium in 2024 and 2025, the amendment pushes for 4% and 4.25% respectively. The proposed bill will likewise give the President the power to suspend PhilHealth premium contribution increases in a state of national emergency, public health emergency, or state of calamity. “Sa pagbubukas ng Kongreso, tututukan po natin ang agarang pagsasabatas ng panukalang ito na kailangan para maabot ang pinaka-layunin ng UHC,” Lee said. “Napakaraming pera ng PhilHealth, dapat ilaan ito di lang sa pagpapalawak ng mga benepisyo para sa mga Pilipino, kundi pati na rin sa pagpapababa ng kontribusyon na isa ring mabigat na pasanin ng marami nating kababayan,” he added. A staunch health advocate, Lee is at the forefront of holding the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth accountable for its commitments to radically increase health benefits and for fighting for free diagnostic scans, free prescription eyeglasses and at least 80% coverage for cancer treatments and heart procedures, among others. Earlier, the solon from Bicol welcomed the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) by the Supreme Court, halting the fourth and last tranche of PhilHealth fund transfer to the National Treasury, as there can be more funds for the radical expansion of PhilHealth benefits, which he has been consistently pushing for since last year. Lee 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. “Bawat araw ay marami tayong kababayan ang nangangambang magkasakit o nahihirapan sa karamdaman na hindi man lang nila maibili ng gamot o maipa-check up sa ospital dahil dagdag pa sa gastusin ng pamilya. Karapatan ito ng bawat Pilipino na dapat ipinagkakaloob ng UHC,” Lee remarked. “Hindi na puwede ang kulang-kulang na serbisyo at tingi-tinging dagdag sa mga benepisyong pangkalusugan. Hangad po natin na ang gamot at pagpapagamot ng bawat Pilipino, sagot na ng gobyerno. Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko! Yan ang ating ipinaglalaban, at patuloy natin itong tututukan hanggang sa maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ng mas nangangailangan,” he added. 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. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays
Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays With the delayed health benefits for coconut farmers, Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee has once again urged PhilHealth and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to expedite the release of promised healthcare support. He emphasized that the CFITF Act, enacted in 2021, guarantees these benefits for coconut farmers, who are vital to the country’s agricultural success. Without the promised support, Lee noted that coconut farmers struggle to maintain their health and sustain their livelihoods, impacting their productivity and overall well being. Lee, who has been vocal about prioritizing farmers’ needs, pointed out that recent government goals to become the world’s leading coconut exporter cannot be achieved without investing in farmers’ health and security. By ensuring that coconut farmers receive healthcare support, the government can enable them to work more effectively and safely, which will, in turn, strengthen the industry. In an episode of Si Manoy ang Ninong Ko featuring PCA Administrator Dexter Respicio Buted, Lee reiterated the importance of fast-tracking livelihood and healthcare assistance for the sector. Beyond advocating for coconut farmers, Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee successfully pushed the increase of PhilHealth’s benefit packages for the broader Filipino population. With a 30% PhilHealth benefits increase secured earlier this year, Lee continues to push for the inclusion of essential diagnostic services and a further 50% benefits increase. “Bawasan natin ang pangamba ng mga magniniyog na magkasakit sa takot na lalong malubog sa utang. Ang benepisyo nila ay dapat ibigay na,” Lee urged, advocating for swift government action. #CoconutFarmersDeserveBetter #HealthAndWelfare #WilbertLeeForProgress #AGRI2025 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