Speaker Romualdez wants PhilHealth to shoulder expenses for diagnostic exams
HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez wants Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to shoulder expenses for critical diagnostic exams, like x-ray for lung cancer, mammography for breast cancer, ultra sound and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to avoid cervical cancer, and others.
At the same time, Romualdez asked the House Committee on Health to review PhilHealth’s charter to improve the benefits it provides to its members.
Speaker Romualdez said that PhilHealth should work like a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) dedicated to the health care of Filipinos, instead of investing capital in banks and bonds.
“With substantial annual allocations from Congress and regular contributions from private employees, there is no excuse for PhilHealth to scrimp on coverage. The effectiveness of the Universal Health Care system depends on our ability to provide for our citizens, ensuring they receive the medical attention and preventive care they deserve,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Speaker Romualdez also wants PhilHealth to pay up to 50 percent of the patient’s hospital bill and make sure that screenings to detect deadly diseases such as cancer, are free.
He said the purpose of the review is to address the obstacles in the access of the Filipinos to quality health care and ensure that the operation of PhilHealth is based on public interest.
Aside from finding a way to increase the benefits that members get, Speaker Romualdez said they will also looked into the PhilHealth’s investment strategy to make sure that it is very beneficial to all.
Speaker Romualdez also insisted on the need to meet the health needs of Filipinos.
On Wednesday, February 14, the House Committee on Health is scheduled to hold a hearing regarding the directive of Speaker Romualdez.
