In this file photo taken on October 09, 2017, a patient is pictured before a mammography at the Paoli-Calmette institute, a fight against cancer regional center. All women should get mammogram screening for breast cancer starting from age 40, rather than 50, an influential US health body announced May 9, 2023, a move it said could save thousands of lives. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death for women in the United States, killing around 42,000 women and 500 men, according to official data. Black women are 40 percent more likely to die than white women. (File photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will be able to provide free mammograms and ultrasound for Filipino women starting July, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced on Tuesday.
Romualdez said this after meeting with PhilHealth officials led by its president and chief executive officer, Emmanuel Ledesma Jr.
The Speaker’s announcement coincides with the celebration of National Women’s Month this March.
“I commend PhilHealth for their swift action in responding to our call to provide free mammogram and ultrasound examinations to our women. This initiative reflects the commitment of the administration of President Marcos to prioritize the health and well-being of Filipino women, ensuring access to crucial preventive care,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“This is the best news we can give to the Filipino women, especially during Women’s Month,” he added.
Romualdez was accompanied by House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo, while Ledesma was backed by PhilHealth executive vice president Eli Dino Santos, senior vice president Renato Limsiaco Jr., and chief of the program management team for the primary care provider network, Dr. Francisco Sarmiento III.
According to the House leader, Ledesma said they would deliver on their promise.
“We will deliver, sir. We will not fail you. We need to deliver. We are really confident that we will be able to fulfill your request,” Ledesma told Romualdez.
“Early detection is key in addressing various health concerns, and by removing financial barriers to these essential services, PhilHealth is helping to save lives and promote a healthier future for our women,” Romualdez said.
On February 13, the Speaker also called for the review of PhilHealth’s charter, noting that the state-run insurer can expand its coverage benefits.
Eventually, PhilHealth announced that it is willing to increase coverage for members admitted to private hospitals from the current 30 percent to 50 percent.
READ: PhilHealth charter review, more benefits for members pushed
READ: PhilHealth open to proposed expanded coverage in private hospitals
Romualdez also sought bigger breast cancer benefits coverage by including early detection of the disease.
In time, PhilHealth increased the benefit package for breast cancer patients to over P1 million.
READ: Romualdez hails PhilHealth’s expanded coverage for breast cancer