More taxes eyed to raise funds to implement UHC Law

A party list lawmaker on Monday called on his colleagues at the House of Representatives to come up with laws that would help free Filipinos from out-of-pocket spending for health-care services.

Anakalusugan party list Rep. Ray Reyes vowed to push for additional taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks to infuse more funds into implementing the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

The legislator cited a December 2022 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) which showed Philippine Health Insurance Corp. members still paying for medical expenses from their own pockets, although the country already has the UHC law.

The PIDS study further said that the elderly, women, rural and poor Filipinos were more likely to spend more, with the national health insurance program’s coverage limited to 40 percent of total hospital costs.

“Today we are celebrating our independence and this should inspire us lawmakers to craft laws that would free Filipinos from out-of-pocket medical expenses,” he said.

While the UHC law is very beneficial and a great relief to most Filipinos, Reyes said, “We still have lots to do to make it better.”Reyes assured the public he would push for more taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to help fund the UHC law and “promote a healthier lifestyle among Filipinos.”

Underserved areas

He pointed out that Anakalusugan party list has been helping bring health-care services to underserved areas, recently working with Batangas local government units in Laurel, Balete, Sta. Teresita, Malvar and Nasugbu to give antipneumonia shots to some 1,000 elderly and other vulnerable persons.

“Anakalusugan party list continues to do what it can to bridge the gap in health services and partner with the government and other volunteer organizations to bring health-care services wherever these are needed,” Reyes said. INQ

READ:

PhilHealth: UHC law seen to be implemented by mid-2021

Bid to delay rollout of UHC law rejected