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Advocates Philippines
PhilHealth Charter Under Review: Speaker Romualdez Pushes For Enhanced Patient Benefits
Photo credit: Congress PH
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez issued a directive on Tuesday for the House Committee on Health to conduct a comprehensive review of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Charter.
The objective is to expand patient benefits, with a particular focus on early detection of diseases such as cancer.
The directive underscores the urgent need to explore avenues for augmenting benefits for Filipino patients, stressing the importance of more extensive healthcare coverage nationwide.
Speaker Romualdez's directive targets an enhancement in benefits to cover at least 50 percent of costs in private hospital wards, along with the provision of free examinations for the early detection of life-threatening diseases, notably cancer.
These preventative measures include crucial diagnostic exams such as lung cancer x-rays, mammography for breast cancer screening, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, among others.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of transforming PhilHealth into a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), redirecting its resources towards safeguarding the health of the population rather than investing in commercial banks and bonds.
"With substantial annual allocations from Congress and regular contributions from private employees, there is no excuse for PhilHealth to scrimp on coverage. The effectiveness of the Universal Health Care system depends on our ability to provide for our citizens, ensuring they receive the medical attention and preventive care they deserve," stated Speaker Romualdez.
This directive comes at a pivotal moment when healthcare takes center stage, showcasing the government's commitment to enhancing health services and making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Filipinos.
Speaker Romualdez explained that the review aims to identify and remove any barriers to quality healthcare, ensuring that PhilHealth's operations are aligned with the best interests of the people it serves.
The Speaker emphasized that the call for review is not solely about expanding coverage but also about reassessing PhilHealth's investment strategies to ensure funds are utilized in ways that directly benefit the health and well-being of Filipinos.
This initiative underscores the government's dedication to fortifying the healthcare system, making it more responsive to citizens' needs, and ensuring every Filipino has access to the care they require, when they require it.
With hearings scheduled for this Wednesday, the House Committee on Health is expected to collaborate closely with healthcare experts, stakeholders, and the public to formulate recommendations that will enhance PhilHealth's services and improve the overall healthcare system in the Philippines.
The objective is to expand patient benefits, with a particular focus on early detection of diseases such as cancer.
The directive underscores the urgent need to explore avenues for augmenting benefits for Filipino patients, stressing the importance of more extensive healthcare coverage nationwide.
Speaker Romualdez's directive targets an enhancement in benefits to cover at least 50 percent of costs in private hospital wards, along with the provision of free examinations for the early detection of life-threatening diseases, notably cancer.
These preventative measures include crucial diagnostic exams such as lung cancer x-rays, mammography for breast cancer screening, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, among others.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of transforming PhilHealth into a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), redirecting its resources towards safeguarding the health of the population rather than investing in commercial banks and bonds.
"With substantial annual allocations from Congress and regular contributions from private employees, there is no excuse for PhilHealth to scrimp on coverage. The effectiveness of the Universal Health Care system depends on our ability to provide for our citizens, ensuring they receive the medical attention and preventive care they deserve," stated Speaker Romualdez.
This directive comes at a pivotal moment when healthcare takes center stage, showcasing the government's commitment to enhancing health services and making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Filipinos.
Speaker Romualdez explained that the review aims to identify and remove any barriers to quality healthcare, ensuring that PhilHealth's operations are aligned with the best interests of the people it serves.
The Speaker emphasized that the call for review is not solely about expanding coverage but also about reassessing PhilHealth's investment strategies to ensure funds are utilized in ways that directly benefit the health and well-being of Filipinos.
This initiative underscores the government's dedication to fortifying the healthcare system, making it more responsive to citizens' needs, and ensuring every Filipino has access to the care they require, when they require it.
With hearings scheduled for this Wednesday, the House Committee on Health is expected to collaborate closely with healthcare experts, stakeholders, and the public to formulate recommendations that will enhance PhilHealth's services and improve the overall healthcare system in the Philippines.
Feb 14, 2024
