By Chito Chavez Members of the vulnerable sectors have strongly appealed to the Senate to act with urgency on the immediate passage of the Universal Health Care (UHC) bill. New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) President Emer Rojas
(CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN) In a press conference in Quezon City, groups led by the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) urged senators to take on the path taken by President Duterte in wanting to ensure healthcare coverage for all Filipinos. “The UHC bill, once enacted into law, will ensure that all Filipinos, especially members of the vulnerable sectors, will not need to worry about their medical care,” said NVAP President Emer Rojas. “And there is nothing more telling in its importance than President Duterte pushing for its passage in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) before our lawmakers. We certainly hope that the senators will really help in ensuring its immediate passage,” he added. Fe Sumandal, adviser for the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) Quezon City Chapter said the vulnerable groups believe that the UHC bill will provide them more benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Republic Act 10645 provides that all Filipinos aged 60 years old and above, regardless of their social or economic status, are now mandatorily covered by PhilHealth. “Senior citizens have contributed greatly to society during their prime years and it is just fitting that the government takes care of them during their twilight years through the UHC,” said Sumandal. “Outpatient services should not be limited to access to medicines and diagnostic or lab services but also access to primary care with healthcare workers to look after them where they reside since most seniors cannot travel far anymore from their residences,” she noted. On the other hand, the Persons with Disabilities NCR Federation said they are still looking forward to the UHC bill’s approval. The statement was issued despite the recent approval of Senate Bill (SB) 1391, which grants automatic PhilHealth coverage for all PWDs, on third and final reading just last Monday. “While we are thankful for the actions of the Senate in approving SB 1391, having the UHC bill passed will benefit not only us PWDs but each and every member of the vulnerable sector as it will mean one less worry for us,” said Dr. Andro Escobar, president of PWD NCR Federation. Last month, the UHC bill was certified as urgent by President Duterte during a Cabinet meeting. The President reiterated in his SONA his directive for lawmakers to prioritize the Universal Health Care Bill. House Bill No. 5784 was already passed on third and final reading in September last year. The Senate counterpart measure is still pending in the Committee on Health.