JV Ejercito eyes hearing on UHC Law implementation

Senator JV Ejercito announced on Sunday that he would push for an oversight committee hearing to assess the implementation of the Universal Health  Care (UHC) Act, citing potential lapses in the Philippine Health  Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth's) role.

Ejercito, the principal sponsor and author of the UHC Act, expressed concern over  PhilHealth’s failure to fully implement the law.

Many beneficiaries reportedly still faced challenges accessing affordable primary healthcare services.

Adding to the issue, Finance Committee Chairperson  Senator Grace Poe noted that PhilHealth had a P600 billion reserve fund that had not yet been fully utilized.

Because of this, PhilHealth was not expected to receive a government subsidy in 2025.

“Siguro I will call for an oversight  committee hearing na ng implementation ng UHC dahil magpa-five years na  ‘to. Tignan natin kung saan nagkulang, saan nagkamali, para mai-ayos  ‘to,” Ejercito said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(I plan to call for an oversight committee hearing to evaluate the implementation of the UHC. It’s been five years since its enactment; we need to identify the gaps and address them.)

“Kasi ang target natin, lahat ng mao-ospital, lahat  ng mangangailangan ay at least maramdaman nila. 'Yung PhilHealth ho  talaga ay nagkulang din sa kanilang papel sa implementation ng UHC,” he  added.

(Our goal is for all Filipinos who need medical care to experience improved healthcare services. However,  PhilHealth has fallen short in fulfilling its role.)

Signed into law in 2019, the UHC Act automatically enrolls all Filipino citizens, including overseas workers, in PhilHealth.

It expands coverage to include free consultation fees, laboratory tests, and diagnostic services, ensuring equitable access to affordable and quality healthcare.

However, Ejercito expressed apprehension that the lack of subsidy could hinder the law’s effective implementation.

“Admittedly, syempre ako ay nag-aalala diyan dahil baka may question dahil sa Sin  Tax Law 'yung magiging question diyan, ‘yung legality dahil earmark 'yan for PhilHealth for the beneficiaries. So 'yan ang mga dapat natin  sigurong ma-resolve,” he explained.

(I’m concerned about the implications, particularly with the Sin Tax Law, as funds are earmarked for PhilHealth beneficiaries. We must resolve these potential legal and operational issues.)

PhilHealth, DOH assurances

Despite the looming subsidy removal, PhilHealth has assured the public of its sufficient funds to support beneficiaries.

The agency also expressed hope that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would reconsider the zero-subsidy decision.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth's supervising agency, affirmed that services would remain uninterrupted.

“Walang titigil na  serbisyo. Kahit sino ang magkasakit, mayroon pa ring PhilHealth  benefits—inpatient, outpatient, at pati ‘yung mga special benefit  packages. Sa katunayan, papataasin pa natin,” DOH Assistant Secretary  Albert Domingo said in a separate dzBB interview.

(There will be no pause in services. All PhilHealth benefits—inpatient,  outpatient, and special benefit packages—will continue. In fact, we are  enhancing them.)

The DOH revealed plans to roll out five new or improved benefits by year-end, including emergency care,  eyeglasses for children, enhanced case rates, open-heart surgeries,  heart valve repair or replacement, and pediatric cataract extractions. — DVM, GMA Integrated News