Government urged to implement Universal Health Care Law

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go urged the executive department to ensure the timely implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law following the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)’s recommendation to delay it.

With the current pandemic, the chair of the Senate committee on health and demography emphasized that Filipinos need the law now more than later.

“We urge the government to push through with implementing the UHC law that Filipinos need, especially with the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and other illnesses,” Go said, emphasizing that the law was certified urgent by President Duterte.

“There is a reason why that was certified as urgent by the President when it was still a proposal. The medical needs of our countrymen are great, and that’s why it’s important to implement this,” he said.

The senator is also mindful that the start of the rainy season may result in significant spikes in the number of infectious diseases cases such as dengue.

“There are many illnesses that can strike our countrymen, it’s not just COVID-19… At the onset of the rainy season, we can expect other diseases. Add to that the many medical conditions of our countrymen – such as cancer, kidney failure and hypertension – that also need help from PhilHealth,” he added.

At a June 18 virtual press briefing, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said that suspending the implementation of UHC is “against the literal provision of the law, and the intentions of those who pushed for the law.”

Roque also concurred with Go’s earlier statements that the law provides for the use of state funds, if needed, to ensure available health services to Filipinos in the event that PhilHealth premiums will not be able to cover all expenses.

“Sen. Bong Go is right. If needed, we will use the billions in public funds because that is the promise of the President and the obligation of the state to provide for the proper health of its citizens,” Roque stressed.

Meanwhile, Go also renewed his appeal for the investigation on alleged corruption cases in PhilHealth. “Let them be accountable even if we’re all in government and are friends, whatever is right. That is what the President always says – do what is right,” he said.

The senator also gave assurance that Malasakit Centers, one-stop shops established in government hospitals all over the country where patients can seek medical assistance from various government agencies, remain prepared to assist Filipinos in need. Go principally authored Republic Act 11463, the law that institutionalized this initiative.

Go said enough funds have been allotted or released for the services offered by Malasakit Centers. As for some concerns from overseas Filipino workers regarding their increased PhilHealth premiums, the senator proposed a review of pertinent provisions in the law if necessary.

He stressed that it is important to study the need to amend it in consideration of the concerns raised by some sectors given the pandemic and the financial hardship it has caused to affected Filipinos.