Retain universal coverage, Beng asks Philhealth
Monday, 19 December 2011 20:09
House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Beng Climaco has called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) to retain the universal coverage of medical insurance to all its members not only in Zamboanga City but in the entire country.
This, as the national government is set to implement a new Philhealth sponsorship policy starting January 1, 2012 that will affect thousands of beneficiaries in Zamboanga and other areas in the country.
Last Thursday, affected beneficiaries in Zamboanga representing the various sectors held a march protest calling for the retention of their benefits. The protesters, most of them on foot, marched to the Philhealth office in Gov. Lim Avenue and later to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office in Vicente Alvarez St. to express their sentiments. Mayor Celso Lobregat supported and joined the march.
Cong. Climaco has reiterated the call of the people for the retention of the health insurance benefits and expressed hopes that this will merit action on the management and concerned government agencies.
"Though my district has funds for this next year, the local government with Mayor Celso Lobregat has to take care of the city and thus will only mean doubled cost for those covered by the LGU's PHILHEALTH coverage. This may prompt to lessen number of PHILHEALTH holders as the new coverage system of PHILHEALTH increased its contribution," the congresswoman said.
Cong. Climaco spoke with Secretaries Corazon Dinky Soliman of DSWD andEnrique Ona of the Department of Health following the mass actions undertaken by the city government-sponsored program beneficiaries.
The two secretaries have promised to look at this matter as the District I solon appealed for government counterpart.
District 1 through the Congressional funds insured close to 5,000 individuals that annually cost 3M to help the indigent families in their confinement at the hospital.
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines led by Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. to include Mayor Lobregat are set to meet with Philhealth officials for a dialogue on this matter and likewise discuss best practices implemented.
By MARVIN SEGURA
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