Universal health care now a law

PHOTO by DAPHNE GALVEZ / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Quality health care services may soon be available to all Filipinos.

At a ceremony on Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Universal Health Care Bill which seeks to give all Filipinos health care coverage and benefits.

Under the law, Filipinos will be automatically enrolled in the proposed National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) either as direct contributor or indirect contributor.

Direct contributors are those who can pay health premiums while indirect contributors are those sponsored like senior citizens or indigents.

The law also aims to expand the PhilHealth coverage to include free consultation tests and other diagnostic services.

Filipino residents can avail of  primary health care services even without PhilHealth identification cards.

During the ceremony, the President also presented other newly-signed laws including the Social Security Act, the Philippine Sports Training Center Act, and the new Central Bank Act. He would also present the signed measure on the creation of two legislative districts in Southern Leyte.

Dividends of the Bangko Sentral of the Philippines were also officially turned over during the ceremony. /muf