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
Zero Gov’t Subsidy For PhilHealth Injustice To Filipinos, Fast-Track Health Benefit Increases – Lee
Zero Gov’t Subsidy For PhilHealth Injustice To Filipinos, Fast-Track Health Benefit Increases – Lee “Kung may malinaw na plano at nagagamit agad ang pondo para sa dagdag-benepisyo, hindi sana zero ang subsidy.” This was the statement of Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee as he slammed the Department of Health (DOH) over the recent removal of government subsidy for Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) in the 2025 National Budget. “Ang sinasabing dahilan ng zero subsidy ay dahil marami pang pondo ang PhilHealth. Pero para sa atin, hindi ito ‘excess funds’ kundi ‘unused funds’–pondo ito na dapat napakinabangan na ng mga Pilipino. Yung subsidy na ipinagkait para sa susunod na taon, ay mailalaan pa sana sa mga serbisyo para sa mas nangangailangan nating mga kababayan,” Lee said during the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on Tuesday. “Nung nakaraang taon pa natin inexpose na nasa mahigit 500 billion pesos o kalahating trilyon ang nakatengga sa bangko ng PhilHealth, na dapat gamitin ito agad sa pagpapalawak ng benepisyo. Pero anong nangyari? Napakakupad ng implementasyon. Ano ba talagang rason ng delay?” “Di ko matanggap na wala tayong paraan para bilisan ito. Kailangan ba araw-araw kayo magmeeting para magawa ito? A little more patience? Anong kapalit, more patients dying? Kung lagi na lang magtitiis sa napakabagal na dagdag na benepisyo, baka lagi nang ma-zero ang subsidy ng PhilHealth,” the solon from Bicol added. Citing the commitments he sealed with DOH and PhilHealth during the House Budget Deliberations last September 25, Lee underscored the urgent need to use the available funds of PhilHealth to provide quality health services for Filipinos, especially the vulnerable sectors. “Sa bilyon-bilyong halaga na meron ang PhilHealth at sa dapat na naipagkaloob na subsidy, marami nating mga kababayan ang pwedeng masagot na ang PET scan, CT scan, MRI, at mababawasan ang gastos sa pagpapa-ospital, lalo na sa pagpapagamot ng mga mabibigat na karamdaman,” the lawmaker said. “Oktubre pa natin hiningi sa DOH, sa kasunduan na pinirmahan mismo ni Sec. Ted Herbosa, na pinresenta natin sa Kongreso, ang komprehensibong plano para sa pagpapababa ng gastos ng Pilipino sa pagpapa-ospital. Pero wala man lang siyang paramdam sa atin. Kung may kongkreto sanang plano kung saan gagamitin ang pondo, mas maipaglalaban pa natin ang subsidiya para sa PhilHealth.” “Nasaan ang hustisya kung sa pagka-manhid at kapalpakan ng ilang namumuno, milyon-milyong Pilipino ang magdurusa at mapagkakaitan ng dagdag na benepisyong pangkalusugan? Kaya ang panawagan natin, magbitiw na si Sec. Herbosa kung siya rin lang naman ang nagpapabagal sa pagpapatupad ng mga benepisyong karapatan at deserve ng ating mga kababayan,” Lee earlier stated. Through Lee’s secured commitments, PhilHealth Board recently approved the following: – Free eye checkup and free eyeglasses, including free operation for cataract– Expanded PhilHealth coverage for heart procedures– Expanded emergency care benefit package– 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits on some case rates A staunch health advocate, the Bicolano lawmaker is also instrumental in the 30% increase of PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 2024. PhilHealth’s benefit package for hemodialysis was also expanded from P2,600 to P6,350 per session and from 90 sessions per year to 156 sessions annually, as well as the breast cancer treatment coverage which increased from P100,000 to P1.4 million. “Sa kabila ng mga dagdag benepisyong ito, kulang na kulang pa ito. Hindi pwedeng tingi-tingi pa rin ang serbisyo lalo na sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan. Pwede ba natin sabihin sa mga kababayan natin na ‘wag muna silang magkasakit, na ‘wag muna silang magpa-opera kasi hinihintay pang madagdagan ‘yung sasagutin ng PhilHealth?” Lee asked.“Marami ang pinipili na lang maratay sa bahay sa kabila ng karamdaman, sa takot na malubog lalo sa utang at kahirapan at maging pabigat pa sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Kung magpapatuloy ang zero subsidy dahil sa kawalan o mabagal na benefit enhancement at malaking investible funds ng PhilHealth, di maibibigay sa mga Pilipino ang nararapat na kalinga. Without a clear and actionable plan and clear coordination between the DOH and PhilHealth, we are simply perpetuating a broken system that will prolong the suffering of our countrymen.” “Ang layunin natin: ang gamot at pagpapagamot, dapat libre na, sagot na ng gobyerno. Wag tayong gumawa ng mga polisiya na paurong, kundi palapit sa katuparan ng mga nararapat na serbisyo para sa mga Pilipino,” he concluded. Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Previous Post Latest Posts 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 16 Dec 2024 Lee Demands Investigation into ₱11-B Expired Medicines and Vaccines Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News