Senator Joel Villanueva is calling for the establishment of universal health care for all Filipinos as he co-sponsors Senate Bill No. 1896 or “An Act Instituting Universal Health Care For All Filipinos” under Committee Report No. 40.1
In a speech, Villanueva mentioned that the measure paves the way for the inclusion of all Filipinos in the national health insurance program either as direct or indirect contributory members.
“The measure paves the way for the inclusion of all Filipinos in the national health insurance program either as direct or indirect contributory members.”
This means that all Filipinos can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose them to financial hardship.
“Bawat Pilipino, dapat miyembro ng Philhealth, may makokonsultang doktor, at may matatakbuhang ospital o healthcare provider,” the legislator said.
In 2013, the mandatory coverage of indigent patients and other sponsored members of the Department of Social Welfare and Development had increased the Philhealth coverage of about 92 percent of the country’s population or roughly 93.5 million Filipinos.
“Our goal is to achieve full 100 percent coverage in the most expedient way possible, expand our health benefit package, and bring more doctors to remote communities,” the lawmaker said.
“Our goal is to achieve full 100 percent coverage in the most expedient way possible, expand our health benefit package, and bring more doctors to remote communities.”
“Many Filipinos have never seen a doctor from birth to death because doctors are not readily available in their communities,” the senator added.
According to the Department of Health, the Philippines’ doctor to patient ratio is 1-to-33,000.
The measure also requires health professionals who graduated from state universities and colleges to serve at least three full years in a remote area or in the public sector.
It also reinforces the Commission on Higher Education’s Cash Grants to Medical Students enrolled in state colleges and universities.
The bill further provides a mechanism where government agencies, local government units, and the private sector can collaborate to fund and improve basic health care service delivery in government and private hospitals down to health centers at the community level.
“This bill has been certified urgent by the President, I urge and appeal to this Chamber that we pass immediately the proposed Universal Healthcare to All Filipinos Act,” Villanueva concluded.
