Bicam panel OKs Universal Health Care Bill

The bicameral conference committee approved on Tuesday the Universal Health Care Bill seeking to guarantee all Filipinos equal access to quality and affordable health goods and services.

“I’d like to announce that finally the bicameral conference committee meeting on the disagreeing portions of the Universal Health Care has been terminated and pasado na, in other words. It’s a historic day. Ako’y masaya that it hurdled one of the final obstacle,” Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said emerging from the bicam meeting.

He expressed hope the bill will be ratified by both the Senate and House of Representatives Wednesday and will be transmitted to the President for his signature before Christmas.

Under the bill, all Filipino citizens will automatically be enrolled into the National Health Insurance Program either as direct contributor (those who have the capacity to pay premiums) or indirect contributor (those sponsored by the government such as indigents and senior citizens).

“Kaya nagtagal kami kasi we have to subsidize 65 percent of the population kasi 35 percent lang ang contributory and we want to increase the benefits by pooling all the funds together, Department of Health, PhilHealth, Pagcor, and PCSO,” said Ejecito.

He said P257 billion will be needed on the first year of implementation and P280 billion on the second year and this will be funded under the appropriation from DOH and PhilHealth.

“But on the third year, fourth year onward we feel that we need supplemental, additional sources of funds because it is anticipated na pag nalaman ng lahat, mas dadami ang claimants mas dadami ang beneficiaries,” he said.

He said the fund would be augmented by the revenue from the tobacco products.

“There is time but we already started the hearing on increase in tobacco taxes na sa tingin ko makakatulong weather P60 or P90. We stand to raise P45 billion to P50 billion,” he said.

The joint panel conducted two five-hour meetings to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the versions of the Senate and House.

The bill also seeks to expand the PhilHealth coverage to include free consultation fees, laboratory tests and other diagnostic services.

Under the bill, Filipino residents can avail of  primary health care services even without the PhilHealth Identification Cards. Those not enrolled in the PhilHealth once the measure becomes a law could still avail the health care services since the premium subsidy will be gradually adjusted and included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The bill also calls for the improvement of doctor-to-patient ratio; the upgrading of hospital bed capacities and equipment; and the establishment of hospitals in remote areas. —NB, GMA News