Health care law covers elderly – Go
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has vowed to properly implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law as he lauded the release of fund for over 800,000 senior citizens nationwide.
The senator made the assurance amid concerns on the delayed implementation of the UHC act, which automatically enrols all Filipinos in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s ( PhilHealth) National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
“Napaka-importantengkalusugan. ngayon,lalonasa pandemic na ito (Health is very important. It’s our priority, especially in this time of pandemic),” Go said in a radio interview on Saturday.
He lauded the release of funds to cover the one-year PhilHealth premium of 800,000 senior citizens. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health said there was budget for the country’s over 6 million senior citizens.
Go was referring to the additional P4 billion worth of funds to PhilHealth to cover the one-year health insurance premium contribution of 800,000 senior citizens.
He said the Congress-introduced increase is chargeable against the PhilHealth’s appropriation under the 2020 budgetary support to government corporations.
“Malakingginhawapoitosa kanila,lalonasakasalukuyang pandemic nanagbabantasa kanilangkalusugan (This is a great relief to them, especially this time of pandemic that poses a threat to their health),” he added.
Go said the government should continue promoting the welfare of the elderly who dedicated their lives contributing to nation building.
“Malakipoangkontribusyon ngating senior citizens saating lipunan.Panahonnamanpo paraibaliknatinitosakanila sapamamagitanngpagbibigay ngserbisyongmaymalasakitat maaasahan (Our senior citizens have a huge contribution to our society. It is time to reward them through efficient service),” he continued.
Under Republic Act (RA) 10645, all senior citizens are covered by the PhilHealth’s NHIP. Funds necessary to ensure the enrolment of all senior citizens not covered by any existing category will be sourced from the National Health
Insurance Fund of PhilHealth from the proceeds of RA 10351 or the “Sin Tax Reform Act.”
Under the 2020 P4.1- trillion national budget, the PhilHealth has an authorized appropriation of P71.353 billion to implement the NHIP, of which P31.177 billion was allocated for senior citizens.
Go earlier appealed to the Department of Health to ensure the availability of medicines and other supplements needed by the elderly population amid the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the provision of a 20-percent discount for vitamins and mineral supplements prescribed by doctors.
In response, the Health department amended its policy through Administrative Order (AO) 2012-0007-A.
Under the AO, vitamins and mineral supplements, which are prescribed by a physician for prevention and treatment of diseases, illness or inj-ury will be entitled to 20 percent discount for senior citizens.
Go also said President Rodrigo
Duterte already signed an executive order (EO) to properly implement the Cheaper Medicines Act. He was referring to EO 104 on the Maximum Drug Retail Price signed by the President early this year, which cuts the retail prices of some 87 high-cost medicines by up to 58 percent.
During the meeting of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the UHC Law weeks ago, Go stressed the importance of ensuring that the PhilHealth had enough budget to cover the healthcare needs of Filipinos, especially vulnerable sectors.
He said PhilHealth’s operation was important in the national health care system. Go urged fellow lawmakers to review the law for possible enhancement that will guarantee universal health care for all Filipinos.
“Let us study this carefully taking into consideration the current situation of the country, the plight of our [overseas Filipino workers] and the health care system of the country,” Go said, adding that “any amendment should not be at the expense of providing universal health care for all.”
He bared that because of the impact of the current pandemic on the implementation of the UHC Law, the current premium collection of the PhilHealth had dropped significantly.
He added that 71 Malasakit Centers all over the country remain functional to assist indigent patients. Malasakit Centers will be opened in the provinces of Aurora, Sorsogon and Romblon, as well.
“Hindiponatinnabuksanito dahilinabutanng pandemic. ‘Yung launching magiging through Zoom nalangpo.Angimportante, ma- cater angmgaPilipinosamga probinsyaito (We were not able to open them due to the pandemic. The launch will be done through Zoom instead. What is important is to cater to Filipinos in these provinces),” Go said.