Sen. JV Ejercito. (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator JV Ejercito appealed to incumbent lawmakers to “fight” for the budget intended for the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, a measure he sponsored during his stint at the Senate.
“Sidelining the Universal Healthcare will be a disservice to the Filipino people. This is a landmark law that will benefit ALL Filipinos,” Ejercito told reporters in a Viber message.
“I appeal to former colleagues to fight for the budget to fund UHC. Para sa lahat ng kababayan po ito [This is for all our countrymen],” he added.
Over P250 billion is needed for the implementation of the UHC law in its first year in 2020.
The 2020 national budget is already being deliberated upon by members of the Senate and House of Representatives on the bicameral conference committee.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the UHC Act last February 20. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, signed the implementing rules and regulations of the law last Oct. 10.
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.