Ejercito hails signing of Universal Healthcare bill into law

MANILA, Philippines – Senator JV Ejercito on Wednesday lauded the signing of the Universal Healthcare bill that would provide all Filipinos with health care coverage and benefits.

“Labis po nating ikinagagalak at taos puso ang ating pasasalamat kay Pangulong Duterte sa kaniyang paglagda ngayong araw at pormal na pagsasabatas ng matagal na nating isinusulong na Universal Health Care,” Ejercito, principal author of the bill in the Senate, said in a statement.

(I am glad and wholeheartedly thank President Duterte for signing today the Universal Healthcare bill into law.)

READ: Universal healthcare now a law  

“The Universal Health Care law will transform the health seeking behavior of Filipinos. UHC makes medical consultation and several basic laboratory tests affordable and accessible. This will allow the people to value their health more by regularly consulting with doctors,” he added.

He noted that under the new law, every Filipino will become an automatic member of PhilHealth and will be covered by the government’s National Health Insurance Program.

“Ibig sabihin, hindi na mangangamba ang ating mga kababayan tuwing sila’y magkakasakit o sa mga pagkakataon na madapuan ng karamdaman ang kanilang mga mahal sa buha,” Ejercito said.

(This means that Filipinos won’t have much to worry about if their loved ones get sick.)

Ejercito also said that he “will ensure the sustainable funding for UHC.”

“We will also continue working with the civil society organizations, medical community and other stakeholders to ensure the success of its implementation,” he added. / gsg