Party-list group asks PhilHealth to Fund checkups too
Filipinos should not have to pay for checkup and diagnostic (blood) tests because state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has more than enough funds to cover these procedures, according to Anakalusugan party-list group.
Anakalusugan first nominee Michael Defensor, in a statement, said since PhilHealth “operates like an insurance company,” some members availed themselves of benefits while others did not.
“This means PhilHealth has the money to cover expanded benefits,” Defensor said.
He said PhilHealth had P105 billion in funds, which would reach P160 billion under the universal health care program.
“Even maintenance medicines should be free and covered by PhilHealth,” he said.
He said diagnostic tests and checkups recognized by PhilHealth were those “when you are already very sick or confined.”
“Our advocacy is to push for diagnostics and checkups even before you are sick,” Defensor said.
“We just need to ensure that PhilHealth funds are properly handled,” he added.
