Lee Slams Budget Cuts for PhilHealth, Urges Support for Vulnerable Filipinos
Lee Slams Budget Cuts for PhilHealth, Urges Support for Vulnerable Filipinos Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has expressed strong opposition against the removal of government subsidies for PhilHealth in the 2025 national budget, warning that the decision will worsen the healthcare burden on Filipinos, especially those from marginalized sectors. Lee, a staunch advocate for universal healthcare, described the move as “an injustice to the Filipino people.” “Millions of indigents, senior citizens, and PWDs rely on this subsidy to access life-saving healthcare services. Removing it will strip them of these essential benefits,” Lee said. He criticized DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa for failing to uphold the commitments made during the budget deliberations to lower out-of-pocket medical expenses for Filipinos. Lee has consistently championed healthcare reforms, successfully pushing for a 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits earlier this year. He also exposed in 2023 that PhilHealth had ₱466 billion in investible funds and a ₱68.4 billion net income, which he argued should be used to expand health benefits and reduce premium contributions. The solon reiterated his call for systemic changes to ensure that health funds are used effectively, emphasizing that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. “The Filipino people deserve a reliable and compassionate healthcare system,” he stated. #HealthIsARight #ProtectPhilHealth #WiseAdvocacy Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Previous Post Latest Posts 17 Dec 2024 Lee Blasts DOH for Wasted Medicines, Calls for Secretary’s Resignation 16 Dec 2024 Lee Demands Investigation into ₱11-B Expired Medicines and Vaccines 12 Dec 2024 Lee Questions Zero Gov't Subsidy For PhilHealth In 2025 Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Urges Restoration of PhilHealth Subsidy, Warns of Impact on Poor Filipinos
Lee Urges Restoration of PhilHealth Subsidy, Warns of Impact on Poor Filipinos Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has called on lawmakers to restore the government subsidy for PhilHealth in the 2025 national budget, warning of dire consequences for vulnerable Filipinos if the funding cut is implemented. Lee highlighted how the removal of the subsidy would affect millions of indigents, senior citizens, and unemployed persons with disabilities (PWDs), who depend on PhilHealth for their healthcare needs. “This decision is a direct blow to the Universal Health Care Law’s essence of providing accessible and affordable healthcare for all. It is the poor who will suffer the most,” Lee remarked. He criticized the leadership of the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth for failing to protect these crucial resources, citing inefficiencies and a lack of urgency in addressing health issues. Lee also pointed to the mismanagement of PhilHealth funds, including the proposed transfer of ₱89.9 billion to the National Treasury, which he vehemently opposed. “Health funds should be used for health—nothing else. Every peso wasted is a life that could have been saved,” he emphasized. The solon renewed his push for reforms, including free diagnostic services, 80% coverage for cancer treatments, and further increases in PhilHealth benefits. He vowed to continue fighting for a healthcare system that prioritizes the welfare of all Filipinos. “We will not stop until every Filipino has access to the healthcare they deserve,” Lee said. #HealthcareForAll #UniversalHealthCare #WiseMoves Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Previous Post Latest Posts 18 Dec 2024 ₱11-B Expired Medicines: Lee Seeks Accountability, Reforms in DOH Operations 17 Dec 2024 Zero Gov't Subsidy For PhilHealth Injustice To Filipinos, Fast-Track Health Benefit Increases – Lee 17 Dec 2024 Lee Blasts DOH for Wasted Medicines, Calls for Secretary’s Resignation Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Lee Wants Free Vaccines For All Senior Citizens
Lee Wants Free Vaccines For All Senior Citizens Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee filed a measure to provide free vaccines against infectious diseases for senior citizens and protect their health and well-being. Lee’s House Bill (HB) No. 11055 or the “Safeguarding Seniors: Free Immunization Act of 2024” seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” by including all senior citizens, instead of being limited to indigents, to have free vaccination. The Bicolano lawmaker also proposed that aside from free vaccines for influenza virus and pneumococcal disease, free immunization should cover pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and diphtheria, and other diseases as the Department of Health (DOH) deems necessary. “Tayong mga Pilipino ay malaki ang pagpapahalaga sa ating mga lolo at lola, sa ating mga magulang na nag-alaga at nagpalaki sa atin, at nagtaguyod sa ating pamilya. Sa kanilang pagtanda, sila naman ang gusto nating arugain at talagang dapat pagkalooban ng karampatang kalinga,” he said. “Many diseases can have severe or even fatal effects for older adults, whose immune systems often become weaker as they age. Kaya napakahalaga ng bakuna para maiwasan ang mga sakit, lalo na kung gagawin itong libre at mas accessible para sa lahat ng ating senior citizens,” he added. For Lee, protecting senior citizens from diseases will not only sustain their health but will ease their concern from falling ill as they fear sinking further into poverty due to their inability to buy medicine or pay for hospital expenses. “Laging may pangamba ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ating senior citizens, na magkasakit, dahil ayaw na nilang maging pabigat pa sa pamilya, lalo sa mahal na gastos sa gamot at pagpapa-ospital. Kaya marami ang hinahayaan na lang ang karamdaman, hindi nagpapa-checkup at parang naghihintay na lang ng oras nila,” Lee remarked. “Hindi ito deserve ng bawat Pilipino lalo na ng ating mga senior citizens. Dapat siguruhin ng Estado na napapangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan at hindi na dapat nila problemahin kung saan sila kukuha ng pangbakuna,” he added. The solon from Bicol likewise underscored that the proposed free vaccination for all senior citizens is anchored on the promise of RA 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act,” saying, “Ito ang layunin ng Universal Health Care Law, na maging libre na ang gamot at pagpapagamot para sa lahat ng Pilipino.” “Ang pangarap ko sa bawat Pilipino: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko!” he said. Currently, Lee continues to monitor the implementation of the commitments he sealed from the DOH and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) during the last House Plenary Debates on the DOH 2025 Budget on September 25. Among the commitments he secured is for DOH to submit a comprehensive report on medicine and vaccines ensuring their availability in DOH retained and specialty hospitals starting fourth quarter of this year. Other commitments include free Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other diagnostic tests as part of outpatient services; at least 80% coverage for cancer treatments and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024; free optometric services and free eyeglasses and another 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits this November. “Nakatutok tayo sa pagtupad ng kasunduang ito na ipinangako ng DOH at PhilHealth sa milyon-milyon nating kababayan. Hindi dapat ipagkait sa mga Pilipino ang mga pondong inilaan para sa kanilang kalusugan. Hindi ito dapat bawasan o ilipat sa ibang programa na wala namang mamamatay kung hindi gawin, dahil lang sa kupad o hindi ito nagamit sa loob ng mahabang panahon,” he said. A staunch health advocate, Lee successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 14 after he exposed the billions of investible funds in the state health insurer’s coffers. 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 14 Nov 2024 Lee Wants Free Vaccines For All Senior Citizens 14 Nov 2024 Lee Lauds Supreme Court’s TRO, Renews Call for Enhanced UHC Benefits 13 Nov 2024 PhilHealth Benefit Expansion: Lee Advocates Improvements in UHC Law Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News