All Filipinos may soon be able to avail of an annual medical checkup for free under a bill recently approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives.
The bill, of which Camarines Sur LRay Villafuerte is among the principal authors, provides that the annual medical checkup be given free of charge in any government hospital and institution.
“Every Filipino should be entitled to this medical service free of charge, to ensure that the goal of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law of equitable access to quality health care is fulfilled,” Villafuerte said.
This health-friendly substitute bill was passed by the House before the Congress’ sine die adjournment
Under House Bill (HB) No. 9072, all Filipino citizens, by virtue of their membership in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) shall be entitled to the applicable benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Program.
“Every Filipino should be entitled to this medical service free of charge, to ensure that the goal of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law of equitable access to quality health care is fulfilled.”
PhilHealth membership is automatic under the UHC law.
The free checkup shall include blood sugar and cholesterol tests and can be expanded to include other laboratory tests subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds, the bill said.
“To promote health, identify risks, and ensure early diagnosis, PhilHealth shall establish a system that allows access to a free annual medical check-up and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded the quality health care services that they deserve,” the bill states.
The amount necessary for the implementation of the free medical checkup program shall be charged against the PhilHealth funds.
The Department of Health (DOH) shall, in coordination with PhilHealth, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations of this bill, also known as the “Free Annual Medical Check-up Act.”
Earlier, Villafuerte welcomed the House’s final approval of a legislative proposal on the establishment of a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), which has now become even more urgent owing to the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in the country partly because of the emergence of new and more infectious variants of the coronavirus.
Villafuerte said the Constitution guarantees that the health needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children shall be given priority and that the State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to the poor.
The House recently approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No. 8999, or the proposed “Medical Reserve Corps Act.” Villafuerte was among the primary authors of the consolidated measure.
Under the bill, the MRC, which would be under the supervision of the DOH, shall be composed of licensed physicians, including those who are no longer practicing in the hospital setting; licensed allied professionals; and medical students who have completed four years of medical course, graduates of medicine as well as registered nurses.
“We should recognize the urgency of swiftly passing this measure, not only to prevent our health workers from getting overwhelmed by the recent surge in Covid infections, but to strengthen our capability to contain similar disease outbreaks in the future,” Villafuerte said.
Under the House-approved measure, the President of the Philippines, upon the DOH’s recommendation, may also order the mobilization of the MRC to complement the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Medical Corps “in case of the declaration of a state of war, state of lawless violence or state of calamity.”
Also, Villafuerte had authored HB 7281, which seeks reforms in nursing education, including the introduction of basic and postgraduate programs that would train and encourage nurses to work in communities and seek leadership or management positions in their profession in local hospitals instead of leaving for overseas jobs.
Villafuerte had likewise proposed in another measure–HB 7631–the grant of tax breaks or incentives to doctors rendering pro bono or free health care and medical services to indigent patients.
He said the tax credits should be deducted from the gross income of physicians providing pro bono services as stated in his proposed measure.
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) are tasked under the bill to evaluate these pro bono services, compute the hours rendered and the nature of treatment involved.
“While there is a wide gap to quality healthcare access among the poor and marginalized, some physicians have taken it upon themselves to volunteer to render free health services to people who cannot afford to seek medical attention,” said Villafuerte.
“This bill recognizes and incentivizes, through the grant of tax credit, the invaluable pro bono services physicians in the country. It intends to encourage our physicians to put hours and services for such purpose,” he added.
Villafuerte said the Constitution guarantees that the health needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children shall be given priority and that the State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to the poor.
“However, the Philippines does not even have a sufficient number of doctors to cover the population. The global average of a doctor to patient ratio is 1:66,000. In 2019, the Philippines has a doctor to-patient ratio of 1:33,000,” Villafuerte noted.
