Pass universal healthcare bill, Palace urges Senate
MALACANANG on Thursday urged the Senate to pass the proposed measure aiming to provide universal healthcare coverage for Filipinos, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for its quick passage.
In a radio interview, Palace spokesman Harry Roque expressed hope that the Senate would “do the same” after the House of Representatives passed its version of the measure in September 2017.
“The President has sent a clear, loud, and unequivocal message regarding universal healthcare to Congress, and the House has done its part; it’s time for the Senate to do the same,” said Roque, the principal author of the Universal Health Care Bill when he was still a member of the 17th Congress.
Roque said the proposed measure was a “landmark” legislation as it would give all Filipinos access to quality healthcare services regardless of their socio-economic status.
“Napakalaking ginhawa ito para sa bawat Pilipino, lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Basta Pilipino ka, obligado ang gobyerno na bigyan ng benepisyo na pangkalusugan (This is a huge comfort for every Filipino, especially the poor. As long as you are Filipino, the government is obligated to provide health benefits),” he said.
“Hindi magiging isyu ang kapasidad ninyo magbayad––importante lang ay ipinanganak kang Pilipino (Your capacity to pay will not be an issue––the only important thing is you are born Filipino),” the Palace official added.
Duterte, during his State of the Nation Address on Monday, urged the speedy passage of the proposed measure, saying there is much room for improvement in the country’s healthcare system.
“To this end, I urge the speedy passage of the Universal Health Care Bill authored by Former Representative Harry Roque,” Duterte said, referring to his current spokesman.
The President said the Philippine health care system has remained “highly fragmented,” leading to a “disparity” in health outcomes across social classes and geographical classifications.
He also noted how “several policies and operational bottlenecks” have constrained universal healthcare for this country.
“We shall pool all our resources for health services under the [PhilHealth]; institutionalize primary care as a prerequisite to access higher level of healthcare; and supplement human resource gaps of the LGUs (local government units) through a National Health Workforce Support System,” Duterte said.
He added that his administration aimed to “ensure that every Filipino gets the appropriate affordable and quality health services in appropriate facilities,” and that citizens will also be “protected from financial burden due to sickness.”
Duterte, through Roque, had marked as urgent the passage of the proposed bill.
The House version of the Universal Healthcare Bill states all Filipinos will be covered by a national health insurance. It also mentions that the current PhilHealth will be changed into Philippine Health Security Corporation, which would pay for medical fees and products.
A counterpart measure meanwhile is pending before the Senate. CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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