On Tuesday, September 10, during the Senate Commitee on Health Public Hearing, its Chairperson Senator Christopher “Bong” Go told health officials that it is time to deliver results as Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. committed to increase its case rates of the top ten most common diseases in terms of mortality and morbidity to increase the case rates.
“We just don’t need your words (referring to Ledesma). We need actions and tangible solutions to these problems. It’s time to deliver results,” Senator Go said.
Senator Go added that PhilHealth must not overpromise and underdeliver. “Maawa naman sa taumbayan. Huwag sila paasahin.”
According to PhilHealth President Ledesma, the top common diseases comprise 80% of the case rates in the country.
Heart attack is mentioned as the number one killer disease in the Philippines followed by cancer, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia and hypertension.
Ledesma likewise committed to have an increase of 50% in case rates almost across the board before the end of November of this year.
Senator Bong Go has been firm in his stance of increasing case rates, which have been insufficient in covering medical costs.
“As Chairperson of the Committee on Health, I believe that every Filipino should be able to access healthcare they need to survive and thrive. Our goal is simple: Ensure that public funds for health services are utilized to benefit Filipinos in need,” Go said in his opening statement.
According to the World Bank 2021, the Philippines is ranked the third highest out-of-pocket expenditure for health in Southeast Asia, after Myanmar and Cambodia.
Having said this, Go reiterated his appeal to PhilHealth to use the available funds for health to help with their healthcare needs.
“Ang pondong para sa health ay dapat gamitin po para sa health,” Go emphasized.
Apart from increasing case rates, Senator Go enumerated other PhilHealth deliverables, which include their precious commitments of expanding benefits to attain Universal Health Care, removal of single-period of confinement policy; recommendation to reduce premium rate contribution; review PhilHealth’s fund utilization; and finally, stop the transfer of the P89.9 billion to the National Treasury.
Senator Go concluded saying that his committee will continue to exercise its oversight functions over the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and monitor the status of utilization of funds intended for the rollout of its programs.
