Health committee chair and Quezon Rep. Helen Tan grills PhilHealth executives during a hearing held on Aug. 17, 2021. Sreengrab from HoR livestreaming
MANILA, Philippines — When it comes to solving the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (Philhealth) issues, the state insurer’s current chief Dante Gierran is not the man for the job, the chairperson of the House Committee on Health said on Tuesday.
“Me, if you’re going to ask me, straightforward? I think hindi [no],” said House committee on health chairperson and Quezon 4th District Rep. Helen Tan over ANC when asked if Gierran is fit to solve the issues besetting the state-insurer firm.
“I’ll be honest to you kasi [because] during our hearing last Tuesday, when we ask on the issue on inconsistencies on the circular on the benefit package on COVID-19, it’s seems that parang hindi niya alam [he does not know] what’s happening, and they cannot defend the circular, and the events of the issuance of the circular,” Tan explained.
The committee tackled last week PhilHealth’s Circular 2021-08 that removed COVID-19 probable cases from the in-patient package, due to supposed abuse with some patients getting higher compensation despite them not contracting the new coronavirus.
The circular dated June 17 carries a retroactive effect, which means that COVID-19 probable cases whose PhilHealth payments have been accepted by hospitals starting November 26, 2020 would also be covered.
Tan previously questioned the retroactive clause of the circular, saying that it would cause huge loss to the hospitals.
Gierran, in response, urged healthcare institutions to seek arbitration instead to contest the denied claims, which incensed Tan, who suggested that the circular be amended instead.
Gierran conceded, saying that he would bring up the issue to PhilHealth’s Board of Directors.
“I hope hindi ma-hurt sa akin si Atty. Gierran [I hope Atty. Gierran will not get hurt (with what I’m saying)]. I know he’s doing his best on checking fraudulent acts,” Tan later said in the same ANC interview.
Who could get the job done?
When asked if she has anyone in mind who could be a more capable officer for PhilHealth, Tan mentioned the name of Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega.
“I was thinking last night for some reason, I was thinking, Usec. Vega, having that experience for a very long time,” she said, underscoring Vega’s experience as a medical center chief.
“He has that knowledge on the operation of the hospitals, alam din niya ang usapin [he knows what it’s like] in the ground and I think being a doctor, alam din niya [he also knows] supposed to be how to reconcile disagreements between the medical auditors and the clinicians, him being a clinician himself,” Tan went on.
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