Former Senator JV Ejercito lauded President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, July 27, for mentioning the Universal Healthcare Law (UHC law) during his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday, July 26.
"Thank you Mr. President for mentioning the Universal Health Care Law in your last State of the Nation Address!," Ejercito said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
"Neither President Duterte nor his critics have the power to decide his legacy. This would be judged by our people and history. But I think it is the Universal Health Care law—aside from infrastructure and peace and order— that will truly benefit our people," he added.
Ejercito was the principal author of the UHC law which aims to make Filipinos become automatic members of PhilHealth and be covered by the National Health Insurance Program of the government.
"Ibig sabihin, hindi na mangangamba ang ating mga kababayan tuwing sila'y magkakasakit o sa mga pagkakataon na madapuan ng karamdaman ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Karamay na ang gobyerno sa gastusin at abot-kaya na ang pagpapagamot (Filipinos should not worry when they get sick or in instances when their loved ones are ill. The government will help you financially and medicines will be more affordable)," Ejercito said after the law was enacted in 2019.
The former senator expressed hope that the next president and legislators will address the problems that remain in the country.
"For one, we need to make sure that the UHC is implemented correctly in order to strengthen our health care system to prepare for the next pandemic," Ejercito said.
Among the salient features of the UHC Law are the expansion of population, service, and financial coverage through an array of health system amendments, and a planned paradigm shift to primary care which is the core and center of all health reforms under the UHC.
With UHC, all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services and are protected against financial risk.