Ejercito pushes UHC oversight panel

To assess whether Universal Health Care (UHC) is effectively reaching the poorest Filipinos, Deputy Majority Leader Senator Jose Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito has called for the creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee dedicated to monitoring the law’s implementation.

“The Universal Healthcare Act is a health reform law—the realization and embodiment of our government’s care towards our people. Ours is a healthcare system that is complex, fragmented, and multifaceted. There are many issues to be addressed, a lot of pieces to be put together, and several views to be recognized,” Ejercito said in his privilege speech during the plenary session at the Senate on Monday.

Republic Act 11223, or the UHC Act, which Ejercito was one of its proponents, automatically enrolls all Filipinos in the National Health Insurance Program or PhilHealth, aiming to provide equitable access to quality and affordable health care services, with financial risk protection for all, including overseas Filipino workers.

“Fortunately, the UHC does not distinguish the rich from the poor, privately insured or not. Every Filipino is automatically a member of PhilHealth and is entitled to its benefits. In times of dire financial constraints, PhilHealth can help supplement the hospital bill payments of those insured. For those not privately insured, this is their relief from medical expenses,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Bam Aquino expresses his full support for the UHC Law and its implementation for the welfare of the Filipino people.

“I would like to reiterate my support for the good sponsor of the UHC Law. This is a serious matter, but we promise and commit to engage and to support the efforts of the chairperson of the Committee on Health and Senator Ejercito about the amendment or the changes that he wanted to see in this law,” Aquino said.

However, Aquino sought clarification on the issue of “no balance billing,” who is qualified to avail the said program, and ultimately, how to achieve the no balance billing for all Filipinos.

In response, Ejercito said only the indigents, persons with disability, and senior citizens are the priority for the no balance billing program.

Hence, Ejercito maintained that the UHC Law intends to accommodate all Filipinos.

Furthermore, Aquino asked how much funding the UHC needs to fully implement the law and accommodate all Filipinos and achieve the goal of the UHC Law.

Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo lauded Ejercito for championing the UHC Law and for supporting the sustainability of zero-balance billing.

But Tulfo said health care in the Philippines remains financially inaccessible to many Filipinos, as many patients suffer from systemic delays, out-of-pocket costs, and reliance on guarantee letters for hospitalization.

“These are the challenges that our people face. Every day, thousands of Filipinos walk into hospitals with a sick parent, child, or sibling, only to realize that to afford the treatment, they will have to knock on the doors of different agencies,” Tulfo said.