ILOILO City – Not everyone will be immediately covered when the Universal Health Care measure becomes a law and takes effect, a top Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) official said.
At least not before the “transition period” that is estimated to last 10 years, according to Dr. Roy Ferrer, PhilHealth acting president and chief executive officer.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na libre kaagad at i-cover lahat. Dahan-dahan. At saka mayroong transition period … perhaps during the 10th year, diyan na po natin ma-realize ang totoong Universal Health Care coverage,” Ferrer told the press.
Ferrer was in the city for the PhilHealth regional office’s thanksgiving event for the local press at Madison Hotel.
The bicameral conference committee approved the Universal Health Care bill on Tuesday. The measure will soon be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signing.
All Filipinos will be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program either as direct contributor (those who have the capacity to pay premiums) or indirect contributor (those sponsored by the government such as indigents and senior citizens), the bill stated.
The bill also provides for the improvement of doctor-to-patient ratio, the upgrade of hospital bed capacities and equipment, and the establishment of hospitals in remote areas.
In addition, Ferrer said P257 billion will be needed for the first year of the implementation of the law.
“Napakalaki niyan. Dapat target-in natin na makakuha ng ganoon kalaking fund para ma-realize iyong initial stage ng UHC,” he said.
The BiCam approved a provision stating that funds will be sourced from incremental sin tax collections, as provided for in Republic Act 10351, and 50 percent of the national government share from the income of the Philippine Gaming Corp.
Other sources were 40 percent of the Charity Fund, net of the Documentary Stamp Tax Payment, and mandatory contributions of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, premium contributions of members, annual appropriations for the Department of Health, and national government subsidy to PhilHealth included in the General Appropriations Act.
Moreover, member premiums may also be increased in the coming years if the UHC bill becomes a law in a bid to source more funding, said Ferrer.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, principal author of the Senate version of the bill, said the measure expands the coverage of PhilHealth to medical checkups, laboratory tests and other diagnostic services./PN
