Amid the economic impact of the pandemic on ordinary citizens, Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed his support for suspending the increase in premiums of direct contributors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
He, however, asked the government to make sure that the health care services provided to Filipinos are not jeopardized.
During a Senate Committee on Health hearing on the Universal Health Care law and PhilHealth premium on Wednesday, February 1, Go remarked that for average Filipinos, every peso counts, and that their and their family’s survival is currently the top priority in light of global and national economic challenges.
Moreover, given the economic effects of the pandemic, he said it is only reasonable to suspend the premium hike.
Go lamented the hardships experienced by overseas Filipino workers especially during the pandemic.
The Universal Health Care law guarantees equitable access to quality and affordable health care by making all Filipinos members of the PhilHealth. However, to ensure sufficiency in funding and to keep the financial viability of PhilHealth, the UHC mandates a schedule of premium contribution rates increase until 2025.
Go noted that, at the height of the pandemic, former president Rodrigo Duterte also ordered the deferment of the implementation of the increase in PhilHealth contribution rates amid the pandemic.
Health interventions
Go maintained the need to scale up government’s health interventions as he renewed his appeal to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to be more proactive in anticipating the health needs of Filipinos, particularly those who are facing financial strain.
During the Senate Committee on Health hearing on the Universal Health Care law and PhilHealth premium on Wednesday, 1 February Go cited that his proposed special provision under the PhilHealth 2023 budget was successfully adopted, which indicated the use of the P21 billion budget pertaining to benefit package improvement under Universal Health Care Act.
“I earlier proposed that this budget should be used for the expansion of free dialysis coverage, mental health outpatient coverage, the implementation of the comprehensive outpatient benefit package, including free medical check-up and other increases in benefit packages,” Go said.
Acting PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. then confirmed that the agency is already laying out its plans to increase its coverage for outpatient hemodialysis from 144 to a maximum of 156, despite the suspension of the contribution increase.
Meanwhile, Go stressed that there are many disadvantaged patients who are reaching out to his office for help, sharing, “Maraming lumalapit po sa aming mga opisina, humihingi ng tulong para sa dialysis, humihingi ng tulong para ma-expand ang dialysis coverage ng PhilHealth.”
“It is the reason why I filed Senate Bill 190 — mandating PhilHealth to fully cover all costs of dialysis treatments, sessions and procedures done in PhilHealth-accredited health facilities,” he cited.
If passed into law, SB 190 or the proposed “Free Dialysis Act of 2022” will task PhilHealth, in consultation with the Health Technology Assessment Council, to develop a comprehensive dialysis benefit package that shall fully cover all costs of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, sessions and procedures done in PhilHealth accredited-health facilities.
Workers’ rights, welfare
Go has filed measures promoting the rights and welfare of workers in the country.
“Workers play a crucial role in the economic recovery after the pandemic. They are the backbone of many industries and essential to the functioning of businesses,” Go said.
“By continuing to work, they help to keep the economy running and support its growth,” he added.
Go introduced Senate Bill 1705 which proposes to increase the service incentive leave of private sector employees; and SB 1707 which seeks to provide competitive remuneration and compensation packages to social workers in the country.
If passed into law, SB 1705 shall amend Article 95 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, mandating employers to give their employees a yearly SIL of ten days with pay.