Year-end approval eyed for UHC bill

THE Senate Health Committee is eyeing the passage of a measure expanding benefits under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law within the year, its chair said on Wednesday.

Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who heads the committee, said the proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 11223, the UHC law could clear the upper chamber before yearend.

“It’s possible. The important thing is to begin deliberations and sustain a good pace,” she told a news briefing.

Among the proposed amendment of lawmakers are the expansion of benefits under the UHC, allowing public-private partnerships, creating a UHC Coordinating Council for better implementation, and easing premiums under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

The committee chair added that she will convene a congressional oversight panel to tackle possible amendments to the law.

“We will evaluate how the Universal Health Care Law has been implemented so far,” Ms. Hontiveros said.

“The Congressional Oversight Committee will also have input on the Universal Health Care Law, as well as our budget engagements later this year, related to the Department of Health (DoH) and PhilHealth,” she added.

Proposed amendments to the UHC Act have been identified as among President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s priority measures for the 20^th Congress.

Meanwhile, Ms. Hontiveros said that two other healthcare bills would likely be approved for third and final reading once Congressional session resumes next week.

These include Senate Bill No. 1510, the Health Outreach for Seniors and Indigent Patients (HOSIP), and Senate Bill No. 1513, Lupus Prevention and Treatment Bill, according to the senator.

Ms. Hontiveros said that the proposed HOSIP bill would allow the government to provide assistive devices, including wheelchairs to senior citizens and the poor directly to their homes; while the Lupus Prevention Bill seeks to create a program under the DoH to detect lupus or other autoimmune diseases, alongside coverage on the testing and detection of the disease under PhilHealth. — Adrian H. Halili