Hearings kick off in Cebu
The Senate committee on health and demography conducted the first public hearing on the Universal Health Coverage bills in Cebu yesterday together with the Senate committees on Ways and Means and Finance.
The public hearing was attended by senators JV Ejercito, Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara and Vicente Sotto III, and several representatives from the different health stakeholders.
Ejercito, the Senate committee chairman on health and demography, said in his opening statement that for this measure to really uplift the health condition of every Filipino, the government must be able to provide efficient, quality, and accessible health services to the far-flung areas of the country.
"It is our hope that through the cooperation of the various sectors we may pass this measure at the soonest possible time," said Ejercito.
He added that with the current policy on health of the current administration, they will realize the objective of bringing the benefits of universal healthcare to every Filipino.
Angara, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means said that the country enacted a Universal Healthcare Law in 2013 which ensures that indigent patients, senior citizens and children are automatically covered by PhilHealth.
"Since we have proven that government is capable of providing good healthcare, now is the time to work on making sure that good healthcare is available to all Filipinos. Now is the time to work on improving upon the Universal Healthcare Law that we passed in 2013," Angara said.
Angara also called on PhilHealth to expand its primary care package to include preventive and promotive health services such as executive check-ups and laboratory tests.
“Check-ups and lab tests can detect diseases early when they may be easier to treat. Sa tulong nito, mas maaagapan ang posibleng paglala ng karamdaman. This would also encourage Filipinos to have a healthier lifestyle with less out-of-pocket expenses,” Angara said.
Currently, PhilHealth offers a primary care benefit package called Tamang Serbisyo sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya or Tsekap but only to indigents, sponsored members, overseas workers, and their qualified dependents.
Under the package, qualified beneficiaries can avail of the following preventive services and diagnostic examination in identified government and private healthcare facilities: medical consultations, regular blood pressure and body measurement, breast examination, complete blood count, urinalysis, fecalysis, risk profiling for hypertension and diabetes, chest x-ray, eye, ear and dental examination, among others.
“We commend PhilHealth for giving priority to the poorer sectors but such primary care package should be available for all. Ito po ang layunin ng universal healthcare -na siguruhing ang bawat Pilipino ay may kakayahang magpa-checkup at magpagamot nang hindi iniisip ang malaking gastusin,” said Angara, one of the authors of the Universal Healthcare Act.
Cebu was the first leg of the public hearing for the proposed house bill which aims to pass a universal healthcare coverage for the Filipinos. After Cebu's public hearing, other public hearings will be conducted in Mindanao, Northern Luzon, and other parts of the country.
Two Senate bills were also discussed yesterday at the Provincial Capitol, Senate Bill No. 60 which proposes to expedite universal healthcare through the national insurance program and Senate Bill No. 1458 which aims to amend the National Health Insurance Act of 1995.
Provincial Health Office head Dr. Rene Catan said he supports the move of both the upper and lower house. He believes that universal healthcare will make the health services equitable regardless of socioeconomic status.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña urged representatives in Congress to first address several issues in the healthcare system of the country before passing the bills. He recommended for a localized health insurance system per local government unit.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III lauded the idea of Osmeña adding that it can supplement the national health programs.
“It can supplement health insurance coverage but maayo tun-an usa,” he said.
He explained that the idea may only be applicable to highlyurbanized cities like Cebu City. Before coming up with a local health insurance system, the financial capabilities of the LGU must be considered, Davide said.