Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Ray Florence Reyes (File photo)
MANILA – Anakalusugan party-list Representative Ray Florence Reyes on Thursday called on fellow lawmakers in the House of Representatives to probe the poor ‘health care delivery system’ being undertaken by Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) through the universal healthcare (UHC) program.
“With the rosy picture promised by Universal Healthcare, 45 percent of costs to seek medical attention is crippling for the low wage-earning families, especially now. We call on our colleagues in Congress to investigate this problem. We need to fix this fiscal injustice in the health sector,” Reyes said in a statement.
This comes as the state insurer, in a recent House committee hearing, revealed that the out-of-pocket expenditures ranging from 34 to 44.7 percent are still shouldered by Filipinos.
In response and true to the group’s advocacy, Reyes visited barangays in the province of Bulacan to deliver free medical check-ups and medicines.
“With these medical initiatives, we are doing what we possibly can to alleviate the suffering of our countrymen, and somehow apply a temporary balm to the sad plight of our health care delivery system,” Reyes added.
The three-day medical mission held at Barangays Lalakhan and San Gabriel in Sta. Maria, and Barangay Tigbe in Norzagaray, Bulacan from Oct. 5 to 7 catered to a total of 314 patients.
Medical services such as electrocardiogram (ECG), lipid profiling, and general consultation were offered for free, as well as provision of vitamins and medicines.
“The number of patients willing to avail these free services goes to show that PhilHealth needs to widen its coverage, and most importantly improve its case rate which hasn’t been updated for the past 20 years,” he said.
As of 2022, the national health insurer registered 90 percent of Filipinos as members. (PNA)
