Monday, 16 May 2011 06:04
Rep. Rogelio Espina (Lone District, Biliran), author of House Bill 4235, said poor Filipino families will be the beneficiaries of such an undertaking considering the fact that PhilHealth is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC).
"This is to not only lessen or hopefully remove from the deprived public the burden of buying expensive medicines and being reimbursed for less but also to cut short the process of reimbursement," Espina added.
Under the law, expenses for medicines are being reimbursed by PhilHealth based on the coverage of the holder, according to Espina.
Espina said there is no question that medicines from pharmacies in hospitals are cheaper than at the drug stores. "However, medicines from hospital pharmacies are not enough for those hospitalized, forcing patients or their families to buy medicines outside at a much higher cost," Espina said.
"This fact diminishes the significance of the PhilHealth law, which is to provide the underprivileged an affordable healthcare service," Espina added.
Espina said PhilHealth is a sign of a country's progress and development and provides for the much-needed healthcare service for the public at a much lesser cost.
"Despite the intent of the law, some services must be added to improve it to fully serve the public in accordance with what is needed and being demanded," Espina said.
The measure seeks to amend Section 5 of Republic Act 7875 otherwise known as An Act Instituting A National Health Insurance Program For All Filipinos And Establishing The PhilHealth Insurance Corporation.
source: http://www.congress.gov.ph
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