With Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) having more than P500 billion worth of investments, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee filed House Resolution No. 2015 urging the Benefits Committee (BenCom) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) led by the Department of Health (DOH), to immediately convene for the implementation of benefit increases and that the meeting must be livestreamed for public’s access.
The measure was filed as soon as the DOH announced the increase in the hemodialysis package rate from P4,000 per session to P6,350—a decision from the recent meeting of BenCom spearheaded by DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pakikinig ng DOH at PhilHealth sa panawagan nating taasan ang coverage sa mga medical treatment tulad ng hemodialysis. Ito yung sinasabi natin na kaya naman nilang gawin agad. Pero ang tanong pa rin: Bakit patingi-tingi ang dagdag?” Lee asked.
“If the DOH, through the BenCom, can promptly convene and increase certain PhilHealth benefit packages, why can’t it be done with the coverage of other case rates with their enormous available funds,” he added.
In his Resolution, the Bicolano lawmaker also said that the BenCom meeting must be livestreamed for the public’s real time updates so that more Filipinos have access to the information and can stay informed about what’s transpiring in the deliberation of their entitlements and benefits in PhilHealth.
Lee stressed that with the hundreds of billions of PhilHealth funds, “dapat ipatupad na sa lalong madaling panahon ang dagdag na coverage ng PhilHealth sa cancer treatment, coronary artery disease, MRI, PET scan, CT scan, maternity care, dental care, eye care, emergency care, comprehensive outpatient benefit package, iba pang klase ng mabibigat na karamdaman at sobrang mahal na mga operasyon sa ospital.”
It can be recalled that during the 2025 DOH budget hearing held last September 4, Lee warned to defer the health agency’s budget if the proposed increase in PhilHealth benefits will remain unaddressed before the House Plenary debates.
“Para saan pa na Chairperson ang DOH sa Benefits Committee na ang layunin ay suriin at magmungkahi ng pagpapalawak sa mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth, kung hindi naman mapanatag ang mga Pilipino na may sasalo sa kanila kapag may nagkasakit sa pamilya?” Lee asked during his interpellation.
“Hanggang kailan nila maaatim na patagalin ang mga nararapat na pagtaas gayong maraming namamatay dahil sa kulang-kulang at mahal na serbisyong pangkalusugan? Napakarami rin nating mga kababayan ang nalilimas ang ipon at nababaon sa utang dahil sa laki ng bayarin sa ospital, at hindi maramdaman ang sinasagot ng PhilHealth,” Lee pointed out.
Lee, a staunch health advocate, successfully led the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14. Currently, he is pushing for another 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits and if funds would suffice, an eventual decrease in members’ monthly contribution.
“Pinag-uusapan ngayon kung saan pwede i-invest o gamitin ang sobrang pondo ng PhilHealth. Hindi na dapat ito pinagtatalunan pa: Ang pondo para sa kalusugan, dapat gamitin para sa kalusugan!” Lee remarked.
“Ang gamot at pagpapagamot, dapat sagot ng gobyerno para mabawasan ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan na lalong malubog sa utang at kahirapan kapag nagkasakit dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital. Laban nating lahat ito! Gawin na natin!” he added.
