NOT A FEW have expressed concern over the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s plan to postpone the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. Rightly so. In the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the implementation of this law is critical.
The precarious state of our current healthcare system is indeed very alarming. It affects our ability to win the war against this pandemic. To halt the implementation of a law that would promote access to affordable care, strengthen our primary health care and make our people healthy to fight the virus is a step in the wrong direction.
Yes, there is a need to address PhilHhealth’s precarious position for it to be able to sustain its funding. However, it should not be at the expense of the people who are relying on UHC for their health needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic reveals the weaknesses and inequity in the current healthcare system, which the Universal Health Care Act seeks to address. Our neighboring countries like South Korea and Singapore are faring better in the war against COVID-19 precisely because of their effective universal healthcare coverage. Postponing the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act is a huge misstep while other countries are working on ways to strengthen primary health care to prevent the spread of the virus, we would hear plans to postpone access to affordable care.
If COVID-19 taught us one thing, it is that we need to keep people healthy and we have to prepare for the next pandemic. UHC is the key.
We are worried that postponing the full implementation of the UHC could discourage poor people from seeking hospital treatments or primary health care even if they experience COVID-19 symptoms. Health secretary Francisco Duque III said that given the pandemic, there is a need “to fast track the transition to universal healthcare.” He said he will seek a higher budget for the implementation of UHC in the 2021 national budget.
The Sin Tax Reform Law, primarily authored by Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon, is the primary source of funding for the UHC. Aside from excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco products and sweetened beverages, the implementation of UHC is sourced from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, premium contribution of members, annual appropriation of DOH under the General Appropriations Act, and National Government subsidy to PhilHealth.
The Department of Budget and Management must increase funding for the health sector in the National Expenditure Program for 2021. If we learned anything about the onset of the pandemic, it is that the health sector must get a big part of the budgetary pie. The health of the people is the State’s responsibility.
