Latest news with #UniversalHealthCare
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH backs PhilHealth reorganization to fast-track claims, regularize workers
The Department of Health (DOH) is supporting the reorganization of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) as this is expected to help streamline services and improve the delivery of Universal Health Care in the country. 'Suportado ng Department of Health ang inaprubahan ng Governance Commission for GOCC na reorganization ng PhilHealth,' DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing on Monday. (The Department of Health supports the reorganization of PhilHealth approved by the Governance Commission for GOCCs.) He said that the overhaul, which includes boosting the agency's manpower and restructuring key units, was long overdue. PhilHealth is an attached agency of the DOH, with Health Secretary Ted Herbosa sitting as chairman of the PhilHealth Board. Other members of the board include the secretaries of social welfare and development, labor and employment, budget and management, and finance. One critical focus of the reorganization is the claims processing unit, which handles hospital reimbursements for services covered by PhilHealth. 'Ang unit na nag-aapruba ng mga claims, dati-dati kulang sa tauhan. Ngayon, dinagdagan," Domingo said. (The unit that approves claims used to be understaffed. Now, it has been reinforced.) Delays in processing claims have long affected hospitals and patients. The DOH is hoping that by fast-tracking payments, patients will be less burdened by out-of-pocket expenses. 'Para yung singil ng ospital sa pamilyang Pilipino na nagkasakit ay mas bababa.' (So that the amount hospitals charge Filipino families will be reduced.) Domingo added that the reorganization is expected to take about a year due to PhilHealth's size and reach nationwide. It also opens the door for long-time job order and contract of service workers to apply for regular positions — a move expected to boost morale and service quality. 'Pag alam nilang secure ang trabaho at merit-based ang selection, mas productive at mas mataas ang kalidad ng serbisyo.' (When workers know their jobs are secure and selection is merit-based, they become more productive and deliver higher quality service.) PhilHealth CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado has started meeting with the governance commission to lay down implementation plans. The DOH sees the reorganization not just as an internal fix but a critical piece in the broader push for Universal Health Care. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
PhilHealth to undergo major revamp —GCG
The Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG) on Wednesday said the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will undergo restructuring to improve its efficiency and solve operational issues. 'The restructuring includes a revamped organizational structure with 503 units and a total of 7,149 positions designed to improve service delivery and strengthen the agency's capability to fulfill its expanded mandate under the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11223 or the 'Universal Health Care Act,' GCG said in a statement. "This major revamp aims to enhance PhilHealth's efficiency and address key operational challenges," it added. Among the issues it aimed to address are the outdated workforce, fragmented data, strategy execution, and issues related to benefit claims. CGC also identified the five critical services to be centralized: finance, legal, information technology, procurement, human resources, and general administration services. 'The centralization of these administrative functions is seen to address the inconsistencies and conflicts in the current operational framework of PhilHealth, maintain responsiveness to the public, and enhance healthcare delivery,' CGC said in a press release. To ensure checks and balances, the internal audit office of PhilHealth was also ordered to report to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and shall administratively report to the President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) of the corporation. The Benefit Payment Appeals Office (BPAO) will be established to handle appeals related to benefit claims payments. It aims to improve the handling of appeal cases and incentivize healthcare. In a separate statement, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the agency has been working with the GCG on the restructuring of PhilHealth. 'The Department of Health (DOH) has been working with the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) to ensure that the organizational structure of PhilHealth is suitable for the implementation of Universal Health Care,' Herbosa said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News 'PhilHealth staff and especially the public have been waiting for this reorg for a long time. The DOH and the entire Board of Directors have paid close attention to every detail,' he added. Last year, the GCG approved a partial restructuring of PhilHealth following its initial application in 2022. To aid in the evaluation process, GCG requested that PhilHealth provide additional documentary requirements and undergo consultation from May 2023 to January 2025. - Mariel Celine Serquiña ###
GMA Network
13-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Advocacy groups file SC petition vs. PhilHealth zero subsidy in 2025 budget
Several health advocacy groups on Friday filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the zero subsidy for state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in the 2025 national budget. Among the petitioners are Social Watch Philippines, Medical Action Group, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, National Public Workers Congress, Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines, Inc., and Likhaan Center for Women's Health. The groups argued that the absence of funding for the state health insurer under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is unconstitutional. "Unfortunately, Congress and the Executive brushed off the intent and plain language of the laws earmarking funds for UHC (Universal Health Care). Even while the UHC had yet to be fully implemented, Congress failed to fully allocate PhilHealth's share of sin taxes, and the Executive failed to remit to PhilHealth its mandated share of PAGCOR and PCSO revenues, in clear contravention of the Constitution, the UHCA, and Sin Tax Laws," the 58-page petition read. "All these actions and inaction weaken UHC's sustainable financing and push us back from achieving healthcare for all.... Petitioners seek to change this sad state of affairs and save people's lives by asking the Supreme Court to compel Congress and the Executive to perform their mandate and follow the letter and spirit of the law," it added. The decision to slash PhilHealth's subsidy stems from the state insurer's P600-billion reserve funds, as disclosed by Senate Finance Committee chairperson Grace Poe during the bicameral conference committee meeting on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero had cited PhilHealth's lapses as the reason behind the removal of its subsidy. This comes after controversies surrounding PhilHealth's transfer of P89.9 billion in excess funds to the national treasury. The petitioners pray that the SC will order the automatic appropriation of the sin tax share for PhilHealth. The petition also asks for the respondents to implement the quarterly remittance of the PAGCOR and PCSO UHC shares to the state health insurer. Further, the petitioners also seek that the Bureau of the Treasury will create special accounts in the general fund to ensure that the sin tax share, PAGCOR UHC share, and PCSO UHC share are fully remitted to PhilHealth. Aside from PhilHealth, the respondents in the petition are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Escudero, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Department of Finance, Bureau of the Treasury, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Health, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Last February, health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon also filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the 2025 national budget, citing the absence of funding for PhilHealth. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
60% of health sub-centres can't deal with basic issues: Survey
NEW DELHI: How well-equipped are India's sub-centres (SCs) - the state's support system that people facing health issues first reach out to - especially those in rural India, to manage basic medical conditions such as hypertension, or high blood pressure, and diabetes? A survey carried out for the purpose in 19 districts of seven states by a team of researchers from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and World Health Organisation (WHO), among others, did not paint a very flattering picture. According to the survey results published in the latest issue of Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR), only about 4 in 10 sub-centres are in a position to treat hypertension and diabetes, with several of the rest not even having basic medicines to manage the conditions. Out of 105 SCs assessed, nearly one-third had stock-outs of tablet metformin (anti-diabetes medication), and nearly half (45%) reported stock-outs of tablet amlodipine, used to manage high blood pressure. The median duration of stock-outs for the medicines ranged from one to seven months. "These medicines were better available at govt medical colleges compared to any other levels of public health facilities," the IJMR report stated. The survey also revealed a shortage of specialists at the Community Health Centre (CHC) level - this was also highlighted in the rural health statistics report of 2020-21, which showed a shortfall of physicians (82%) and surgeons (83%) at CHCs. "(The) ICMR-India Diabetes Study (ICMR-INDIAB) reports evidence of a non-communicable diseases epidemic spreading to rural areas in India in addition to the urban areas due to changes in lifestyle. Therefore, improving the preparedness of SCs will further enhance the primary care services closer to the homes of the people," the researchers pointed out in the study. They added: "Govt of India has already accelerated its efforts towards strengthening Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) for achieving Universal Health Care by committing resources and efforts through the Prime Minister's flagship Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness programme". India has the second highest number of adults (20-79 yrs) with diabetes in the world, and approximately 3% of the total deaths in India in 2019 were attributed to the disease. The number of people suffering from hypertension is also on the rise. Experts say easy access to medicines to manage the two conditions at early stages can help prevent serious complications and slash the risk of negative individual, social and economic outcomes.
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Medical advocacy groups call on gov't to suspend UHC amendments
A group of medical professionals have called on the government to defer the passage of proposed amendments to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and not to lower premium PhilHealth contributions. In a press conference at Quezon City on Thursday, former Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Undersecretary Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III noted that the UHC law has not yet been fully implemented, and that some funds from sin tax collection that have not yet been fully disbursed. 'Ang UHC ay isang batas na binuo sa loob ng 18 taon, halos 20 taon, at pumasa lang noong 2019… Halos hindi na-implement hanggang 2022 ang mga saligang provision ng UHC dahil sa COVID crisis. Ang plano ng DOH at PhilHealth, mag-implement sa ilang pilot area pero sa ngayon wala pang 6 lugar sa Pilipinas ang nag-i-implement ng bahagi ng UHC, so makikita natin hindi pa napapatupad ang batas at hindi pa natin nakikita ang potential,' he shared. (The UHC is a law that was created within 18 years, almost 20 years, and was passed only on 2019… The provisions of UHC was barely implemented until 2022 because of the COVID crisis. The plan of DOH and PhilHealth was to implement in several pilot areas, but until now less than 6 areas of the Philippines have implemented part of the UHC, so you can see that the law has not yet been implemented and we haven't yet seen it's potential.) 'Itong mga nawawalang pondong ito ang issue ngayon. Saan nila nilagay itong perang ito at bakit hindi inilaan sa kailangan na pondo ng PhilHealth?' he added. (These lost funds is the current issue. Where did they place this money and why is it not being allotted for the funds needed by PhilHealth?) Perez slammed the proposal to lower the contributions received by PhilHealth, noting that such move would eventually lead to bankruptcy by 2026. 'Kung ano-ano hadlang ang nangyayari… Lahat, ginigipit ang pondong pumapasok sa PhilHealth. Ang mahalaga rito, kung kulang ang pondo ng PhilHealth, hindi nila mabibigay ang karampatang benepisyo para sa mahirap… So magiging bankrupt na siya talaga o kulang ang pondo talaga para magtuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo,' he said. (There are so many obstacles that have been happening… All of these hold back funds for PhilHealth. What is important here is that if there PhillHealth lack funds, they can not provide the necessary services for the poor… So it will just be bankrupt or lacking in funds to keep the services going.) Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) President Annie Geron echoed Perez's sentiments, stating that the bicameral meetings on the amendments for UHC happened without transparency. Geron noted that the amendments would not benefit the people who actually need the provisions of the law and further exploit medical workers. 'This is without adequate assessment of the law's implementation and without inclusive and meaningful dialogue with workers and other stakeholders. Bakit ba minamadali?... Hindi pa nga nag-de-decision yung Korte Suprema. Bakit hindi maantay yung desisyon sa illegal transfer?' she questioned. (This is without adequate assessment of the law's implementation and without inclusive and meaningful dialogue with workers and other stakeholders. Why exactly is it being rushed?... The Supreme Court hasn't issued a decision yet. Why can't they wait for the decision on the illegal transfer?) She further noted that lowering contributions and removing funds from PhilHealth would mean that workers would have to shoulder costs of the UHC as the primary contributors. 'Inabandona ng gobyerno yung kaniyang obligasyon na maglagay ng pondo para makapagabot ng serbisyo. Anong ibig sabihin niyan sa manggagawa na tulad natin? Tayo magdadala, magpopondo, babalikatin natin, dahil tayo po yung binabawasan ng kontribusyon buwan buwan… Pag zi-nero yung budget, ipinasa satin yung gastusin ng UHC dahil nga di nilagyan ng gobyerno,' she said. (The government has abandoned their obligation to place funds to provide service. What does it mean for workers like us? We will be the ones to carry it, fund it, shoulder it, because we are the ones paying monthly contributions… If the budget is zero, the responsibility of funding the UHC becomes ours because the government didn't fund it.) Philippine Society of Critical Care Medicine Maricar Limpin said the new amendments will only punish the middle and lower class with bigger fees and costs, especially with the working class paying for the contributions. Likhaan Center for Women's Health Executive Director Junice Melgar called on the Senate and Congress to prioritize fair and inclusive reforms that have been thoroughly discussed. The groups hoped for a better outcome in the coming bicameral meetings on the amendments scheduled on June 9 and 10, adding that further protest movements may take place around the Congress and Senate buildings. 'Sana making sila sa panahon na ito, bago mag-Monday, para marinig nila yung boses ng mga manggagawa, mga doctor, mga komunidad na mga sumusuporta talaga sa UHC… Sana yung nakita [na] pangako ng UHC ay patuloy pa rin sundin sa pamamagitan ng buong implementation,' Perez said. (I hope they listen this time, before Monday, so that they can hear the voices of the workers, doctors, and communities that support the UHC… I hope they see the promises of the UHC and continue this through a full implementation.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
