By Perla Lena/PNA
ILOILO CITY –The Universal Health Care (UHC) will need to undergo a 10-year transition period once it is signed into law.
Dr. Roy B. Ferrer, acting president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said this in a press conference at the sidelines of the state health insurance thanksgiving activity for the local media on Thursday.
“It will not be automatically, the whole of the health care, will be provided for,” he said.
“The transition period will cover until the 10th year and perhaps on that year that is where we realize the real Universal Health Care coverage,” he added.
The Universal Health Care that was approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee on November 27 is expected to be enacted into law once signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in mid-December.
Nonetheless, in his message during the thanksgiving activity, he said the UHC “shall level up the manner by which we afford Filipinos with quality health care through social health financing”.
“This landmark law shall change the health care landscape of the country and that primarily the new UHC will automatically cover all Filipinos under the program. If this happens. we shall witness the realization of the UHC,” he said.
Not only it will assure the delivery of social health care service, but it also guarantees the state health insurance of “stronger, more stable and robust fund because of consolidation of health resources.”
He said the health budget of government agencies will be poured in to the PhilHealth that will now serve as the “national single purchaser of the universal health care”. It includes consolidation of funds
Dr. Ferrer also underscored that “there is no adjustment for now” in the premium payment.
However, since the coverage is very big, it covers a number of diseases, consultation, laboratories and medicines, so it needs sufficient funds.
“Later perhaps we will increase the premium collection from the formal sector or the direct contributors to meet the demand of the universal health care,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Leo Douglas V. Cardona Jr, Area III Vice-President said that while the UHC will cover all Filipinos, yet it could not cover all expenses.
“For PhilHealth to sustain we have to collect on par with what we pay. The challenge is sustainability and, thank goodness President Duterte is gambling on this program of coverage for all Filipinos,” he said.
