The Senate Bill 1896 or the “Universal Healthcare Bill” which aims to “promote and protect right to health of Filipinos” was approved on second reading at the Senate.
Under the bill, Filipinos will have universal health care coverage and benefits from the National Health Security Program, which replaced National Health Insurance Program or Philhealth.
The House of the Representatives passed their version of the bill on Sept. 6, 2017. The Senate version of the bill would need to be voted on third and final reading before it is considered approved by the chamber.
READ: House OKs universal care bill
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, eyed the passage of the universal care bill not later than October. /ee
READ: Duterte certifies as urgent the Universal Health Care Bill