31 pilot areas for implementation of universal health care to be identified by DOH
Published Apr 8, 2019 03:09 pm
By Ria Fernandez
At least 31 areas in the country were identified for the initial implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
(Ria Fernandez / MANILA BULLETIN)
According to Health Undersecretary Dr. Mario Villaverde, the advance implementation sites will include the cities of Valenzuela and Parañaque for Metro Manila and provinces of Batangas and Quezon for Region 4.
“he areas (were chosen based on) the likelihood of success and….willingness among the local executives to participate in the concept of the Universal Health Care,” he said.
The law requires the DOH to come up with implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 180 days.
But Villaverde said they target to finish it a month earlier than the reckoning date on Sept. 8 as ordered by Health Sec. Francisco Duque.
The DOH said it has sufficient budget for the first two years of UHC implementation.
“All these will be pulled within the reserved fund of PhilHealth. The proceeds from PAGCOR, at least 50 percent of the national government share of PAGCOR will be transferred to PhilHealth. Then, 40 percent of the charity fund of the PCSO will also go into the PhilHealth reserved fund,” Villaverde said.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) alone also assured readiness in financing the law.
“Last year, we had a net income of around P11.6 billion,” said Dr. Shirley Domingo, PhilHealth spokesperson.
“nd we paid around P120 billion in terms of benefits. e are 98 percent covered already. That’s almost universal healthcare coverage,” she added.
But additional funding will be needed once the measure already covers the entire Philippines.
Part of which will be sourced from sin taxes on tobacco.
The premium contribution for PhilHealth will also be increased gradually, Domingo said.
“Under UHC, we will just increase the ceiling. We will remain at 2.75 percent (adjusted rate and increase the ceiling to P50,000 (from P40,000). And there will be gradual increase every year until we reach 5 percent)”, the PhilHealth spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hilda Bucu, municipal health officer of Noveleta, Cavite, expressed optimism that the UHC has the potential to address “vast inequity in health services” such as service delivery and distribution of medicines, which are commonly experienced in several communities in the country.
“ really good that there are advance implementation sites. We are looking forward for the effects or outcomes of this program, that will answer the problems of local chief executives,” she said.
The officials came together, along with Duque, Senate health committee chairperson Sen. JV Ejercito, and other stakeholders, for the post-celebration of World Health Day on Monday in Malate, Manila, underscoring the importance of Universal Health Coverage through Primary Health Care.
Last February, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the UHC Act into law that guarantees equitable access to quality and affordable health care for all Filipinos.
(Ria Fernandez / MANILA BULLETIN)
According to Health Undersecretary Dr. Mario Villaverde, the advance implementation sites will include the cities of Valenzuela and Parañaque for Metro Manila and provinces of Batangas and Quezon for Region 4.
“he areas (were chosen based on) the likelihood of success and….willingness among the local executives to participate in the concept of the Universal Health Care,” he said.
The law requires the DOH to come up with implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 180 days.
But Villaverde said they target to finish it a month earlier than the reckoning date on Sept. 8 as ordered by Health Sec. Francisco Duque.
The DOH said it has sufficient budget for the first two years of UHC implementation.
“All these will be pulled within the reserved fund of PhilHealth. The proceeds from PAGCOR, at least 50 percent of the national government share of PAGCOR will be transferred to PhilHealth. Then, 40 percent of the charity fund of the PCSO will also go into the PhilHealth reserved fund,” Villaverde said.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) alone also assured readiness in financing the law.
“Last year, we had a net income of around P11.6 billion,” said Dr. Shirley Domingo, PhilHealth spokesperson.
“nd we paid around P120 billion in terms of benefits. e are 98 percent covered already. That’s almost universal healthcare coverage,” she added.
But additional funding will be needed once the measure already covers the entire Philippines.
Part of which will be sourced from sin taxes on tobacco.
The premium contribution for PhilHealth will also be increased gradually, Domingo said.
“Under UHC, we will just increase the ceiling. We will remain at 2.75 percent (adjusted rate and increase the ceiling to P50,000 (from P40,000). And there will be gradual increase every year until we reach 5 percent)”, the PhilHealth spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hilda Bucu, municipal health officer of Noveleta, Cavite, expressed optimism that the UHC has the potential to address “vast inequity in health services” such as service delivery and distribution of medicines, which are commonly experienced in several communities in the country.
“ really good that there are advance implementation sites. We are looking forward for the effects or outcomes of this program, that will answer the problems of local chief executives,” she said.
The officials came together, along with Duque, Senate health committee chairperson Sen. JV Ejercito, and other stakeholders, for the post-celebration of World Health Day on Monday in Malate, Manila, underscoring the importance of Universal Health Coverage through Primary Health Care.
Last February, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the UHC Act into law that guarantees equitable access to quality and affordable health care for all Filipinos.