Amid suggestions to replace Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee urged fellow lawmakers and government officials to prioritize implementing the commitment of the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth to lower out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos that he secured during the House Plenary budget deliberations.
Reacting to Sen. JV Ejercito’s recommendation to replace Ledesma for alleged failure to implement Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, Lee said: “Kaisa tayo ni Senator JV sa hangaring agarang maipatupad ang layunin ng UHC. Pero para sa atin, ang dapat tutukan ngayon ay ang implementasyon ng pinapirmahan nating commitment kina DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa at PhilHealth Chief Mandy Ledesma para pababain nang husto ang bayarin ng mga Pilipino sa pagpapa-ospital.”
It can be recalled that during the House Plenary budget deliberations last September 25, Lee secured the strong commitment of DOH and PhilHealth to provide a comprehensive plan and timeline in lowering the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos.
“Malinaw din na ang DOH, bilang tagapamuno ng Benefits Committee ng PhilHealth, ang dapat na manguna sa pagpapatupad nito. Kung walang balak si Sec. Herbosa na tumupad sa kasunduan, ngayon pa lang ay magbitiw na sya sa pwesto. Dahil kung wala silang isang salita, ako mismo kasama ang sambayanan ay maniningil sa pagpapaasa na naman sa milyon-milyong Pilipino,” he stressed.
It can be recalled that during the House Plenary budget deliberations last September 25, Lee secured the strong commitment of DOH and PhilHealth to provide a comprehensive plan and timeline in lowering the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos.
Among the commitments sealed are:
• Free diagnostic tests such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as part of outpatient services not later than December 31, 2024;
• At least 80% coverage for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024;
• 50% across-the-board PhilHealth benefit increases effective November 2024;
• Free pediatrics and adult prescription glasses effective November 2024.
A staunch health advocate, Lee successfully fought for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14.
“Sa loob ng mahigit isang dekada na hindi na-adjust ang mga case rates o nataasan ang sinasagot na bayarin ng PhilHealth sa mga sakit, nagawa po natin, sa wakas, na madagdagdan ang mga benepisyo nito. Pero kulang na kulang pa ito para maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan ang serbisyong deserve at karapatan nila,” the solon from Bicol stressed.
“Araw-araw, marami nating kababayan ang lumalala ang sakit at namamatay dahil walang pambili ng gamot at walang pambayad sa ospital. Napakalaking kasalanan na hindi gamitin ang bilyon-bilyong pondo para sa kalusugan para sagipin ang buhay ng mga Pilipino. Libreng gamot at pagpapagamot, laban natin itong lahat. Gawin na natin!” he added.
