House approves mandatory PhilHealth coverage for PWDs

The House of Representatives unanimously approved on final reading a bill mandating the automatic Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage of persons with disability (PWDs) nationwide.

With 204 affirmative votes and zero negative votes and abstentions, the lower chamber approved House Bill 8014 which amends Republic Act No. 7277 or the “Magna Carta for PWDs.”

Once enacted into law, its funding would be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth earmarked from the proceeds of Republic Act 10351 or “An Act Restructuring the Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products.”

The PhilHealth and the Department of Social Welfare and Development should craft within 30 days after the effectivity of the Act the necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.

Second District Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago was the principal author of the bill.

Violago earlier cited that 2010 Census on Population and Housing estimated that about 16,000 Filipinos have disability.

“With the country’s current population of 100 million, that translates to about 1.6 million Filipinos living with a disability,” Violago said.

She said the World Health Organization revealed that PWDs, though they have the same health needs as non-disabled people, have less access to health care service; hence, they have unmet healthcare needs.

“Evidence also suggests that people with disabilities face barriers in accessing the health and rehabilitation services they need in many settings. This should not be the case,” said Violago. /ee

READ: Senate approves mandatory Philhealth coverage for PWDs