Senate passes Universal Health Care Bill for Filipinos
The Senate has unanimously passed the measure which will give Filipinos access to affordable and quality health service on their third and final reading last Wednesday,October 10 with votes of 14-0.
Under Senate Bill 1896, or the Universal Health Care Bill, all Filipinos will automatically be enrolled into the National Health Insurance Program, as either direct contributors (those who have the capacity to pay premiums) or indirect contributors (indigents, senior citizens, etc. who do not have the capacity to contribute).
Once the bill becomes law, Filipinos can also avail of primary health care services even without the PhilHealth identification cards.
In addition, the proposed measure also aims to improve the doctor-to-patient ratio, upgrade hospital bed capacities and equipment, and establish hospitals in far-flung areas.
Senator JV Ejercito, the bill’s principal author and sponsor, said that the bill “will ensure that financial issues will no longer be a burden to our countrymen when it comes to healthcare.”
Senator Risa Hontiveros, the bill’s co-author and co-sponsor, said that the measure “will have a significant, lasting and profound effect on the health of every Filipino as it closes the economic, class and gender gaps in the delivery of healthcare systems in the country,” calling it a “giant leap” in equalizing health service delivery for all Filipinos.
The House of Representatives earlier passed a version of the bill in September 2017.
via Philippine Star / Gaea Katreena Cabico
