Senator JV Ejercito announced plans to convene an oversight committee hearing to evaluate the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, amid concerns over the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) performance.
Ejercito, the principal sponsor and author of the UHC Act, expressed frustration that the law’s objectives have yet to be fully realized, particularly in ensuring equitable access to affordable healthcare services.
Key Concerns Raised
PhilHealth’s role in implementing the UHC Act has come under scrutiny due to reported challenges beneficiaries face in accessing primary healthcare services. Finance Committee Chairperson Senator Grace Poe also pointed out that PhilHealth holds a P600 billion reserve fund that has not been fully utilized. Consequently, the government has decided to allocate zero subsidies to the agency in 2025.
“It’s been five years since the UHC Act was signed into law. We need to identify where the shortcomings are and address them,” Ejercito said during an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
He added that PhilHealth’s shortcomings have prevented the law’s full benefits from reaching Filipinos, including free consultations, laboratory tests, and diagnostic services.
Concerns Over Funding and Legal Implications
Ejercito voiced apprehension about the lack of subsidies and its potential impact on UHC implementation. He also raised concerns about the legality of reallocating funds earmarked under the Sin Tax Law for PhilHealth beneficiaries.
“These issues need to be resolved to ensure the continued delivery of healthcare services,” he stressed.
Assurances from PhilHealth and the DOH
Despite the funding concerns, PhilHealth has assured the public that its existing reserves will be sufficient to maintain services. The Department of Health (DOH), which oversees PhilHealth, echoed this assurance, affirming uninterrupted services and announcing plans to enhance benefits.
DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said, “All PhilHealth benefits will continue, including inpatient, outpatient, and special packages. In fact, we are enhancing them.”
Upcoming Health Benefits
The DOH plans to introduce or improve five key benefits by year-end, which include:
- Emergency care services
- Eyeglasses for children
- Enhanced case rates for medical procedures
- Open-heart surgeries and heart valve repairs
- Pediatric cataract extractions
Signed into law in 2019, the UHC Act aims to automatically enroll all Filipinos in PhilHealth and expand coverage, providing affordable and quality healthcare for all. However, the recent challenges highlight the need for stronger oversight and improved implementation strategies to fully realize its potential.