PhilHealth should offer 'unli' dialysis coverage, says solon 

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Rep. Lee's office) 

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee is prodding the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide for the full coverage of dialysis sessions, noting that the government health insurer can afford it. 

"They can very well afford to adjust the 20 percent to 30 percent increase across the board... All packages, all benefits," Lee said. 

Lee acknowledged that PhilHealth had already approved increases for medical treatments including ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and pneumonia. 

However, "increases in all other benefits should also be implemented," said the solon. 

“Bukod sa dialysis, napapanahon na ring taasan o gawin na wala na ring limit sa sinasagot ng PhilHealth sa chemotherapy, heart bypass surgery at iba pang mga kinakailangang treatment sa mabibigat na karamdaman, pati na sa mga diagnostic tests and preventive measures, para mapagaan ang pasanin ng pasyente at ng kanilang pamilya,” he said. 

(Aside from dialysis, it's now timely for PhilHealth to raise it's ceiling or even impose unlimited coverage on chemotherapy, heart bypass surgery and other treatments on serious ailments, including diagnostic tests and preventive measures. This will ease the burden on patients and their families.) 

Lee noted that Filipinos have the constant fear of getting ill. "They are afraid that if they get sick, they cannot afford proper medical health care, or that if they get quality medical treatments, it will bankrupt their families." 

"When PhilHealth increases their medical benefits, as we can assure our countrymen that they will be cared for when they get sick," he said. 

Lee said PhilHealth's existing funds can cover for his proposals.

The Bicolano also reiterated that the case rates of PhilHealth need to be reviewed as it has not been adjusted to account for inflation and rising health care costs.