Ejercito assures dialysis coverage under Universal Health Care Law
MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing senator JV Ejercito on Wednesday assured that the Universal Health Care Law covers dialysis sessions.
Ejercito clarified this amid talks that dialysis coverage was not approved in the Senate.
“Kasama po. In fact, sa ngayon para maspread out ang regulation, ng Philhealth ngayon, hanggang 90 sessions a year ka lang. Pero ngayon ginawa nating 120 sessions a year,” Ejercito said in an interview over radio station DZMM.
(It is included. In fact, the regulation is more spread out. Philhealth covers up to 90 sessions per year. We made it 120 sessions.)
“Walang dapat ikabahala. Huwag po nating gawing malaking issue dahil hindi daw nakapasa sa Senado ang free dialysis,” the senator added.
(There’s nothing to worry about. Let us not make a big issue of rumors that free dialysis was not approved at the Senate.)
Ejercito said the law is still a “work in progress” as implementing rules and regulations of the law are being prepared. The senator, however, assured that the law would cover all Filipinos.
“Ang Universal Health Care Law is a work in progress. Hindi naman yan ibig sabihin na pagkapirma ni Pangulo, pagka-implement, lahat ay automatic, magic maganda na (It doesn’t mean, however, that as soon as the President signed it, the implementation will be smooth right away),” Ejercito said.
The outgoing senator advised the senators who would be in the 18th Congress to focus on improving health facilities as well.
“Once we implement the law, sigurado dadami ang mga claimant, dadami ang pasyente (there will be more patients). We really have to improve our health facilities and continue expansion,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito said the law is only waiting for the implementing rules and regulations and funding for implementation.
In response to the need for funding for the law, Congress has approved the bill seeking to increase excise tax on tobacco products.
READ: Congress OKs higher tax on tobacco
READ: DOH: Tobacco tax hike bill to help fund universal healthcare law
In February, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law which seeks to expand PhilHealth coverage to all Filipinos. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
READ: Duterte signs law expanding PhilHealth coverage to all Filipinos
