Group hits DOH for alleged dependence on PhilHealth

A group of doctors has assailed the Department of Health (DOH) for its alleged dependence on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in providing health services to the public.

In an interview, Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) secretary general Joseph Carabeo said instead of directly providing services, the DOH has become “overly dependent” on PhilHealth.

“The fact that they are becoming more dependent on PhilHealth is a realization that they are abandoning their duty. If you contrapose that health is a right, that is the government’s responsibility,” he said.

Carabeo said although PhilHealth is still under the DOH, it is operating under a “private business framework” of an insurance company.

“PhilHealth service is not strictly a government service. It is still a financial, insurance system. With an insurance system, the government is still out of it,” he said.

HEAD and other heath organizations last week questioned the direct allocation of P50.1 billion budget of the DOH to PhilHealth, leaving the department with only P92.9 billion or 2.7 percent of the national budget for 2017.

Carabeo added that PhilHealth has been concerned primarily with its financial stability and this is not the true essence of public service. “You don’t start giving health services by delimiting yourself with financial concerns. We all know that in insurance, the keyword is sustainability. How do you sustain? Profit, collection, not all is for public service,” he said.