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Approved bill giving Filipinos free annual medical check up to get Philhealth support - Defensor

Philippines | National

Approved bill giving Filipinos free annual medical check up to get Philhealth support - Defensor

By Ben R. Rosario

Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Michael T. Defensor is confident the Philippine Health insurance Corporation will fully finance the proposal granting all Filipinos a free annual medical check up.

Defensor is the principal author of the legislative proposal that was passed on third and final reading on Wednesday, June 2 with a 245 affirmative and zero negative voting.

Strongly endorsed by the House Committees on Health and Appropriaitons, House Bill 9072 has been sent to the Senate for its action.

Defensor said the bill seeks to promote the right to health of every Filipino by providing annual medical check up that is free of charge in any government hospital and institution.

Under the bill all Filipino citizens by virtue of their Philhealth membership shall be entitled to applicable benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Program.

HB 9072 provides that members shall be entitled to free medical check up that will include the conduct of blood and cholesterol tests.

Additional laboratory and diagnostic tests may be expanded if Philhealth funds permit.

The Philhealth is mandated to establish a system that would give citizens access to the annual medical check up. Funding shall be also be provided by the state health insurer.

Defensor noted that in a report of the Department of Health, it was revealed that the leading causes of death among Filipinos are hearth and vascular system diseases, pneumonia, malignant neoplasms/cancers; all form of tuberculosis, COPD; diabetes mellitus and other diseases of respiratory system.

He pointed out that these diseases are “easily detected through physical examination and diagnostic tests.” “This bill aims to secure that each Filipino shall be given the chance to have a free annual medical check up to promote their right to health and health literacy,” Defensor said.

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