AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has pushed for the increase of required charity beds in private hospitals from ten percent (10%) to thirty percent (30%).
According to Lee, “Gusto nating mangyari na yung mga naka-allocate sa mga pribadong ospital na 10% bed capacity para sa mga indigent patients na nakapaloob sa “No Balance Billing” (NBB) policy, itaas na sa 30%.”
“Para mas maraming bed capacity para sa mga pasyente na talagang nangangailangan. Isa kasi itong kakulangan sa PhilHealth wards sa mga dahilan kung bakit napapalaki ang out-of-pocket expenses ng ating mga kababayan, dahil pagdating sa ospital, ang madalas na sinasabi ay wala nang available na ward na nakalaan para sa NBB,” Lee pointed out.
Under the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order 2007-041, as a requirement for licensure, all private hospitals shall allocate no less than 10% of its authorized bed capacity as charity beds.
“Ito rin po ang prinsipyong isinusulong natin sa pagsasabatas at epektibong implementasyon ng “No Balance Billing,” para wala nang ilabas na pera ang mga kwalipikadong benepisyaryo kapag sila ay na-admit o na-confine sa ospital,” the solon from Bicol said.
No Balance Billing is a government policy implemented through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which guarantees that no fees or expenses shall be charged or paid by the qualified members seeking urgent medical care in accredited hospitals.
The Bicolano lawmaker likewise urged the DOH to require all its licensed and accredited hospitals to promote transparency in the availability of PhilHealth wards 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.
According to his proposed House Resolution No. 1716, “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, na magagalaw ang kanilang budget sa iba pang pangangailangan, na baka maubos ang ipon at mabaon sa utang,” he stressed.
It can be recalled that Lee successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was 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 February 14.
Currently, solon from Bicol persistently advocates for the institutionalization of 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, underscoring that availability of these tests shouldn’t be limited to inpatient 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. Lahat tayo, dapat makatamasa ng de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan, hindi yung kung sino lang ang may pambayad ang naaasikaso, nakapagpapagamot at naisasalba ang buhay,” Lee said.
“Illness shouldn’t cost livelihood. Mayaman man o mahirap, dapat arugain ng Estado; lahat, may karapatang mabuhay.”
“Winner Tayo Lahat kung bukod sa tiyak na trabaho, dagdag na kita, sapat at murang pagkain, ay natutugunan ang problema at nababawasan ang pangamba sa kalusugan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino para mabigyan sila ng lakas at kakayahan na maging produktibong bahagi ng lipunan,” the solon added.
