AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has filed a bill seeking to establish a medicine voucher program to help indigent Filipinos have access to medicines from government hospitals, accredited drug stores and other private establishments needed for their medical treatment.
“Ang nangyayari po kasi ngayon sa mga nangangailangan na pasyente, kahit covered ka pa ng PhilHealth, kung yung gamot na kailangan mo ay hindi available sa ospital, wala kang choice kundi bumili sa labas at galing sa sariling bulsa ang ipambibili ng gamot,” Lee said.
Under Lee’s House Bill No. 9797 or the “Free Medicine Act of 2024,” the Department of Health (DOH) as lead agency, in coordination with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall establish a program in providing eligible beneficiaries medical vouchers that will also be accepted or honored in private drug stores and establishments.
“Paano kung walang pambili ng gamot? Marami ang napipilitan na mangutang; yung iba, hindi na lang bumibili ng gamot kaya lumalala ang sakit. Kaya naisip natin na mula sa guarantee letters na ibinibigay ng gobyerno para sa medical assistance, magkaroon na tayo ng medical vouchers na tatanggapin na rin pati sa mga pribadong drugstores o pharmacy,” he added.
Under Lee’s House Bill No. 9797 or the “Free Medicine Act of 2024,” the Department of Health (DOH) as lead agency, in coordination with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall establish a program in providing eligible beneficiaries medical vouchers that will also be accepted or honored in private drug stores and establishments.
“Sa panukalang ito, gusto po nating tulungan at mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga PhilHealth members, at ang lahat ng mga kababayan natin na kailangang-kailangan ng suporta sa pagpapagamot o pagpapaospital,” stressed Lee.
The solon added: “Napakabigat na po ng dinadalang problema ng mga maysakit at ng kanilang pamilya. Huwag na nating isama sa mga iniisip nila kung saan kukuha ng perang pambili sa mga gamot na kailangan nila.”
If passed into law, a mechanism will also be established to facilitate the accreditation of health care medicine providers, private drug companies and drug stores, to ensure the delivery of quality and accessible medicines.
According to the Bicolano lawmaker, “Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino, mayaman man o mahirap, ang mabuhay. Wala dapat naghihirap, wala dapat namamatay o napagkakaitan ng pagkakataong gumaling sa sakit dahil lang walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital.”
“Sa pagtutulungan ng gobyerno at pribadong sektor, marami tayong matutulungan na pamilyang Pilipino na makarecover sa sakit, makapagtrabaho ulit para kumita, may maipakain sa pamilya, at mabawasan ang pangamba sa pagkakasakit,” he added.
Earlier, Lee thanked the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Board of Directors and Executive Committee on their approval of the 30% increase on the agency’s benefits that he pushed for.
The solon also urged PhilHealth to fully cover cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other diagnostic tests and preventive measures, as well as the effective implementation of the No Balance Billing.
“Lahat po ng pagsisikap nating ito ay para pangalagaan ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga walang-wala at hikahos sa buhay. Sa de-kalidad, abot-kaya at may malasakit na serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa Pilipino, Winner Tayo Lahat,” said Lee.
