President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new president and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), replacing Emmanuel Ledesma Jr.

 Mercado took the oath of office before Marcos in a small ceremony at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.

The new PhilHealth chief is a US-trained orthopedic surgeon with 35 years of experience in hospital management.

He has been the vice chairman of Mercado General Hospital/Qualimed Health Network since March 2021, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Under his leadership, Mercado General Hospital Inc. (MGHI) was able to transform into a national chain of healthcare facilities by establishing four general hospitals, six multi-specialty clinics, two surgery centers, and 150 primary care corporate clinics.

In addition, a college for paramedical professionals was established, as well as forming a network of 400 physicians.

Local and international education

Mercado boasts an impeccable educational background, having obtained his medical degree from the University of the Philippines in 1987. He further completed his studies, earning a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery from Harvard Medical School and an Executive Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina.

Sharing his insights and knowledge, Mercado is also a faculty lecturer at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) on Global Supply Chain, Research Methods, and Implementation Science. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Public Health on Medical Processes and Programs.

Notable work in healthcare

The new state insurer chief worked on ensuring patients have equitable access to quality medical care and leveraging technology to strengthen health systems, particularly in financial management and primary care programs.

He also did advocacy work with the Zuellig Family Foundation and several DoH Centers for Health Development, providing technical assistance to Provincial Health Boards on operationalizing their Healthcare Provider Network.

Meanwhile, Mercado is a fellow in the Global Health Economics and Social Change, Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Department of Social Medicine and Global Health, Harvard Medical School under program director Dr. Chunling Lu, since July 2023.

His tasks include research on cost-per-member payment for global coverage of inpatient services. He is also exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an assistive tool for community health workers to deliver primary care.

The Department of Health on Tuesday welcomed the appointment of Mercado.

“The Department of Health thanks President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for appointing Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

“[I] look forward to working with new PCEO Dr. Edwin Mercado very soon,” Herbosa added.

The new PhilHealth PCEO is also actively involved in health economics work aligned with the Universal Health Care Act.

Senators on Tuesday expressed optimism that the new head of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) would prioritize the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier named Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new president and chief executive officer of PhilHealth, replacing Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., who led the state insurer since 2023.

In a chance interview, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he is hoping that Mercado would not repeat the mistakes committed by his predecessor.

“He should not do what her predecessor did. He should focus on the benefits that should be given to our fellow citizens and make sure that these match the needs of our people, not just what they want to give based on their own convenience,” Escudero said.

For his part, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said he is hoping PhilHealth services under the leadership of Mercado would reach more people.