Hontiveros seeks mandatory PhilHealth coverage for PWDs

Senator Risa Hontiveros. Noy Morcoso lll/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking to provide mandatory health insurance for persons with disabilities (PWDs) under the Philippine Insurance Health Corporation (PhilHealth).

Hontiveros, who served as PhilHealth director in the previous administration, said the proposed “Act Providing for Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All Persons with Disabilities” will be an “equalizer,” noting that PWDs should have a law that would strengthen their long-term medical rights “to ensure their full participation in society on an equal basis with others.”

“While PWDs get 20% discount on medicines, medical and dental services, it is not enough to cover their array of health concerns. Majority of them are poor and cannot afford the rising costs of medical care. Given their condition, their likelihood to need medical assistance is greater,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Hontiveros said revenues from sin tax collection will be used for her proposed bill.

The senator, a known health advocate, expressed alarm that benefits afforded by current laws to the PWD sector may not be enough “to encourage universal registration under local government units or PhilHealth.”

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are about 1.4 million PWDs in the Philippines. JE

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