Latest news with #EdwinMercado
GMA Network
19-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Gov't expands free medical access, raises kidney transplant coverage to P2.1M
The government is ramping up efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce the financial burden on Filipino families, beginning with the rollout of PhilHealth's expanded benefit package for kidney transplant patients. Coverage has now increased from ?600,000 to ?2.1 million per transplant, alongside expanded support for dialysis and maintenance care. In a Malacañang press briefing on June 19, officials announced the nationwide implementation of the enhanced benefit package for adult and pediatric post-kidney transplant patients. The briefing also highlighted the continuing rollout of the Konsulta program, which offers free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines in schools and communities. During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), he personally witnessed the launch of the new benefit scheme and emphasized the administration's focus on strengthening both treatment and preventive healthcare. Dialysis coverage has also been raised to nearly ?1 million per patient, and the benefit now includes essential maintenance medicines and laboratory tests—previously heavy expenses for patients and their families. 'Hatid namin ang bagong benepisyong naglalayong ipagpatuloy ang alagang PhilHealth para sa mga pasyenteng sumailalim na ng kidney transplantation,' said PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado. (We bring this new benefit aimed at continuing PhilHealth's care for patients who have undergone kidney transplantation.) 'Nais natin ang isang normal at matiwasay na buhay para sa lahat sa kabila ng anumang karamdaman.' (We want a normal and peaceful life for everyone, despite any illness.) Mercado explained that the benefit expansion is backed by PhilHealth's annual financial planning. 'Mayroon po kaming taunang sini-set aside na kung tawagin po namin ay Corporate Operating Budget,' he said. (We annually set aside what we call the Corporate Operating Budget.) 'Ang amin pong estima ay hindi naman po ganoon kalakihan kaya po ito'y kayang-kayang punan ng amin pong benefit package budget po for this year.' (Our estimate is that this won't be overly costly, so it can easily be covered by our benefit package budget for the year.) Meanwhile, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa acknowledged the growing number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in the country, including among children. 'Tama iyan ano, mayroon ding bata na nakita si Presidente kanina doon sa dialysis center,' he said. (That's right, the President even saw a child today at the dialysis center.) He added, 'Ang CKD natin ngayon karamihan dahil sa diabetes at hypertension... inatasan ako na palakasin iyong primary care prevention part.' (Most CKD cases now are due to diabetes and hypertension... the President has instructed me to strengthen primary care prevention.) Herbosa also noted the need for lifestyle changes among Filipino youth. 'Sabi niya nga, mataas siguro iyong sugar content ng ating mga kinakain... iyong ating mga kabataan mabigyan ng tamang ehersisyo or active.' (He said maybe our food has too much sugar... our youth need proper exercise and an active lifestyle.) The Department of Health is expected to roll out more preventive health programs in the coming months as part of the administration's broader push for stronger, community-based healthcare.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
PhilHealth CEO Mercado submits courtesy resignation
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) acting president and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado has submitted his courtesy resignation amid the ongoing post-midterm polls executive overhaul of the Marcos administration. 'Bilang pagsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ay nagsumite na ng kaniyang courtesy resignation ang aming acting president and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado,' PhilHealth said in a statement. (In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Jr., our acting president and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado submitted his courtesy resignation.) His resignation came after the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) directed state-run firms' non-ex-officio chairpersons, chief executive officers (CEOs), and all appointive directors/trustees/members of their respective GOCCs' governing boards to immediately submit their courtesy resignations to the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary. Mercado, an orthopedic surgeon, was named as the new chief of PhilHealth in February in the midst of the controversial transfer of P60 billion funds of the state insurer to the national treasury, which was criticized by health advocates. Last week, Marcos sought the courtesy resignations of Cabinet secretaries to "recalibrate" his administration after the 2025 national and local elections. The President had lamented that results of the May 2025 midterm polls showed that the people are "tired of politics and they are disappointed with the government." —AOL, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
21-03-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
PhilHealth removes 45-Day benefit limit for members
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced the removal of the 45-day benefit limit for its members. PhilHealth President and CEO, Edwin Mercado, explained in a statement on March 20 that the policy, which has been in place since 2006, is now considered an 'outdated cost-containment strategy.' Mercado acknowledged the policy's initial purpose but emphasized that with recent changes in the payment system, it is time for reform. He highlighted that medical needs are unpredictable, and many services require coverage beyond 45 days. Under the old policy, members were entitled to a maximum of 45 days for room and board, with an additional 45 days shared among dependents. PhilHealth has already expanded coverage in some areas, such as hemodialysis, which was increased from 90 to 156 sessions. The state health insurer is committed to ensuring that Filipinos with chronic illnesses or severe conditions continue to receive the necessary care. However, PhilHealth stressed that benefits should be utilized based on medical necessity, and patient care will be monitored to ensure proper adherence to clinical standards and reimbursement rules.
