My steadfast and utmost concern about the health insurance benefits due but denied our DAILY TRIBUNE readers and the general public keeps my pen on the issue of hospitals demanding deposits despite a clear violation of the law.

Let the corrupt solons, including those who received P150 million each for the impeachment complaint, repeal the law if our government is inutile, lacks the will, and cannot implement Republic Act (RA) 10932.

We strongly believe how important it is for us, 103.80 million PhilHealth members, that something be done about the lingering, nagging, and financially challenging issue of private hospitals’ strict demand for a deposit before we are attended to. The Bridge was a victim too of the Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, and the notoriously greedy Medical Center Muntinlupa.

I think I did no less than three Sunday TRIBUNE articles on the malpractices of the three hospitals. However much as this corner called them out, it appeared we were not being treated with importance, nor with urgency, nor given attention by the officials concerned. For what illogical or insane reasons, we do not know.

One serious case came out in the open late last year on the complaints of some patients at ACE Medical Center in Valenzuela City but this was attended to by Mayor Wes Gatchalian.

Then and now, despite RA 10932, major hospitals like the Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Cardinal Santos Medical Center continue to demand a deposit from people who need treatment or confinement.

One’s refusal or inability to pay results in not being attended to, a denial of medical attention, until money is plunked down to fill the pockets of the greedy individuals and corporate owners of these hospitals and many others nationwide. A whole DT page wouldn’t be enough to list them down.

Certainly, there is an extreme need for the Department of Health and Senator Bong Go, as chair of the Senate Committee on Health, to take immediate action on the matter for the benefit of Filipinos who need medical care.

Any positive act by Secretary Ted Herbosa, a well-meaning, efficient, and responsible government official, on the matter will mean much to the legacy these officials are undoubtedly building. I can cite personally how fast Secretary Herbosa attends to the needs of patients who come to him.

Of course, Senator Bong Go, or SBG for short, needs no more citations for how he does his job. I say no one compares to him when it comes to relevant legislation and immediate assistance to those who need it. Impromptu, no bureaucracy involved.

We therefore ask Sen Go to call for a Senate investigation since it is clear in RA 10932 that a demand for a deposit is a no-no.

Of course, directly related to the issue is the demand of the over 100 million PhilHealth members to be given the full insurance benefits due them, which remains unacted on by the agency’s board and management. When are we going to receive what is due us? Perhaps President Marcos can do something about the situation. I don’t know if there’s some other way.

The law, which is taken for granted and willfully violated with impunity is RA 7875, or the National Health Insurance Program of 1995. It seems to me and the PhilHealth members that our government doesn’t care about our health. What can we do but fend for ourselves. That hurts!

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