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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Para makatipid': Patients must be informed of available PhilHealth wards, says solon 

'Para makatipid': Patients must be informed of available PhilHealth wards, says solon 

Published May 31, 2024 05:08 am

At A Glance

  • AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has asked the Department of Health (DOH) to require all its licensed and accredited hospitals to promote transparency in the availability of PhilHealth wards. 

IMG-ecfeb445826bcd036c59fff135224c69-V.jpgAGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Rep. Lee's Office)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has asked the Department of Health (DOH) to require all its licensed and accredited hospitals to promote transparency in the availability of PhilHealth wards. 

Lee said DOH-accredited hospitals can do so by posting a notice at their entrance indicating the number of occupied and vacant PhilHealth wards to help beneficiaries make informed decisions about their healthcare options. 

In filing House Resolution (HR) No.1716, the Bicol solon noted that "The lack of clear and visible information regarding the availability of PhilHealth wards may lead to confusion and hinder beneficiaries from utilizing their PhilHealth benefits effectively.” 

“How can they avail of this service if they do not know about it?” Lee asked. 

“Napakahalaga na alam ng mga pasyente at ng kanilang pamilya yung impormasyon tungkol sa mga bakanteng PhilHealth wards para may choice sila, lalo pa’t nandyan lagi yung pangamba nila sa laki ng bayarin sa pagpapa-ospital," he stressed. 

(It's very important for the patient and his or her family to be aware of any vacant PhilHealth wards, so that they may have a choice especially since they worry that they would have to pay huge hospital bills.) 

According to Lee, Filipinos are always concerned about losing their saving or getting buried in debt whenever a member of the family gets sick. 

It can be recalled that Lee successfully pushed for the 30 percent increase in PhilHealth benefits. 

The solon's efforts were recognized by the state health insurer’s President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., as the “spark” that led to the benefit hike implemented last Feb. 14. 

Currently, solon from Bicol persistently advocates for the institutionalization of No Balance Billing (NBB), full coverage for dialysis, cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other major hospital operations, as well as the inclusion of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, and all other diagnostic tests in the urgent care packages of PhilHealth. 

Lee said that the availability of these tests shouldn’t be limited to in-patient care. 

“The Filipino people deserve better health services than enduring long waits in hospitals without the assurance that they will receive proper care. We should demand better and demand more from government," Lee said.
 

Related Tags

Wilbert T. Lee PhilHealth
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