Improved PhilHealth benefits expected
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has expressed optimism over the recent endorsement of expanded benefits packages by the Benefits Committee (BenCom) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Board of Directors.
This development is part of his ongoing healthcare reform crusade aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare for Filipinos.
The proposed benefit packages, endorsed ahead of PhilHealth’s next board en banc meeting, include coverage enhancements for heart attacks, rare diseases, peritoneal dialysis, assistive mobility devices, and preventive oral healthcare under the Konsulta package.
“These expanded packages signal progress,” Go remarked. “Sa wakas, unti-unti na nating naaabot ang hangarin na mas mapalawak ang serbisyong pangkalusugan na abot-kaya at maaasahan para sa bawat Pilipino. Ang mga pagbabagong ito ay makakatulong upang gumaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan sa kanilang gastusin sa kalusugan.”
PhilHealth’s move aligns with the mandates of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, a landmark legislation that Go championed during its passage. The senator highlighted the urgency of implementing these reforms to address systemic gaps in the healthcare system.
“Napapanahon ang mga hakbang na ito. Panahon na upang makita ng ating mga kababayan ang tunay na benepisyo ng UHC. Dapat maramdaman nila na ang kanilang kontribusyon sa PhilHealth ay nagbubunga ng konkretong tulong sa kanilang kalusugan,” he said.
Among the key endorsements by BenCom are packages for rare diseases, such as Pompe disease and phenylketonuria, improved coverage for life-threatening conditions like acute myocardial infarction, and expanded access to mobility aids like wheelchairs and crutches. Preventive oral healthcare services and improved dialysis coverage also form part of the proposed enhancements.
Health Secretary and PhilHealth Board Chair Teodoro Herbosa noted that the endorsements are a step toward addressing systemic inefficiencies and improving PhilHealth’s overall responsiveness. However, he underscored that major operational steps remain within the purview of PhilHealth management and the President and CEO.
