Lee Demands Accountability from DOH Over Healthcare Failures
Lee Demands Accountability from DOH Over Healthcare Failures Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has demanded the resignation of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, citing unfulfilled promises that jeopardize the health of millions of Filipinos. Through House Resolution No. 2090, Lee outlined the Department of Health’s failure, under the leadership of Herbosa, including missing deadlines for critical reforms such as increasing PhilHealth benefits and submitting plans to lower healthcare costs. “The DOH and Secretary Herbosa’s failure to deliver these commitments is a betrayal of trust—not just to Congress, but to the Filipino people who deserve better healthcare,” Lee said. He also highlighted how the delays contradict Herbosa’s signed commitments, made during budget deliberations, to improve access to medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic services. Lee has been instrumental in securing significant healthcare wins, including a 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits implemented earlier this year. However, he warned that continued delays in implementing further reforms will only harm Filipinos. “Every day these promises are delayed, more lives are put at risk,” he said. The solon urged the government to prioritize healthcare and find leadership that can fulfill its promises. “Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. It’s time for decisive action and accountability,” Lee concluded. #HealthcareForFilipinos #WiseLeadership #GamotMoSagotKo Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues 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 Pushes for Free Vaccines for All Senior Citizens
Lee Pushes for Free Vaccines for All Senior Citizens Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has filed House Bill No. 11055, also known as the “Safeguarding Seniors: Free Immunization Act of 2024,” to provide free vaccines for all senior citizens in the country. This proposed measure seeks to amend the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 to include all seniors, not just indigents, in free immunization programs. Lee’s bill aims to expand free vaccination coverage beyond influenza and pneumococcal diseases to include vaccines for pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria, and other illnesses as recommended by the Department of Health (DOH). “Sa kanilang pagtanda, sila naman ang gusto nating arugain. Kailangang gawing libre ang bakuna para mapanatili ang kanilang kalusugan,” Lee said. The Bicolano lawmaker underscored the importance of protecting the elderly from preventable diseases, citing their vulnerability due to weaker immune systems. “By providing free vaccines, we can ease the burden of illness and reduce the financial strain on seniors and their families,” he added. This move aligns with the Universal Health Care Act’s vision of free and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos. Lee reiterated his commitment to ensuring no senior citizen is left behind in the country’s healthcare system. #FreeVaccinesForSeniors #HealthForAll #WiseLeadership Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 21 Nov 2024 Lee Pushes for Free Vaccines for All Senior Citizens 21 Nov 2024 Lee Bats For Creation Of Ph Medicine Bank For Vulnerable Sectors 20 Nov 2024 Lee Links Red Tape in Worsening Struggles in PH Healthcare Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Bats For Creation Of Ph Medicine Bank For Vulnerable Sectors
Lee Bats For Creation Of Ph Medicine Bank For Vulnerable Sectors Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has filed a measure to establish an efficient collection of donated pharmaceuticals and healthcare supplies to be distributed to community health centers and various government-owned and operated institutional facilities for the benefit of Filipinos in need. At the sidelines of the 50th Anniversary of the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists Inc. (IPAO) where Lee attended as Guest Speaker today, he stressed the importance of an efficient collection and distribution of donated pharmaceuticals and healthcare supplies to ensure that vulnerable individuals can receive necessary medications. Under Lee’s House Bill (HB) No. 11082 or the “Medicine Bank Act”, a National Medicine Bank will be created which will serve as a Mega-Hub for appropriate storage for all medicines such as prescription, non-prescription, and over-the-counter drugs, and other donated items. “Kapag naisabatas ito, hindi na magiging pahirapan para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga nasa malalayong lugar ang access sa gamot, pati na sa panahon ng kalamidad. Kasama sa mga pagbibigyan ng mga gamot ang community health centers at government facilities. Hindi na kakailanganin pang bumiyahe at gumastos nang malaki para makabili ng gamot,” Lee remarked. Through this measure, the Department of Health (DOH) is tasked to conduct a careful inventory of the donated materials and their maintenance. This aims to promote responsible management of excess medical resources, reducing waste and optimizing the use of available healthcare supplies. It can be recalled that during the Bicolano lawmaker’s interpellation on the proposed 2025 DOH Budget, he questioned the supply chain issues hindering marginalized Filipinos to access medicines and medical equipment in public hospitals. “Bilyon-bilyong piso ang pondo para sa gamot pero bakit laging problema ng ating mga kababayan na walang gamot sa mga public hospitals? Bakit pinahihirapan pa ang ating mga kababayan na maghanap at bumili ng mas mahal na gamot sa labas? Saan napunta yung bilyon-bilyong pondo? Ano bang klase ng gamot ang binibili, at hindi tumutugma sa mga gamot na kailangan sa mga public hospital?” Lee asked. “Marami po sa ating mga kababayan ang napipilitang hatiin na lang ang gamot o kaya tinitiis na lang ang karamdaman dahil walang pambili ng gamot o dahil sa kawalan ng access dito. Obligasyon ng gobyernong agarang tugunan ito.” “Gusto natin na mabawasan ang pangamba ng bawat Pilipino na kapag nagkasakit o may di-inaasahang pangyayari, may tutulong at sasagot sa gamot at pagpapagamot nila at ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Ang gamot at pagpapagamot, dapat libre, dapat sagot na ng gobyerno,” he added. A staunch health advocate, Lee continues to monitor the implementation of the mentioned commitments he sealed from the DOH and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) during the House Budget Deliberations last September. The commitments include free optometric services and free eyeglasses and another 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits this November, free Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other diagnostic tests as part of outpatient services and at least 80% coverage for cancer treatments and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024. The Bicolano lawmaker likewise successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 14. The benefit hike includes 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 P1.4 million. Healthcare Policy Previous Post Latest Posts 21 Nov 2024 Lee Bats For Creation Of Ph Medicine Bank For Vulnerable Sectors 20 Nov 2024 Lee Links Red Tape in Worsening Struggles in PH Healthcare 19 Nov 2024 Lee Advocates for Immediate Reform in Government Emergency Response Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
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. 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