PhilHealth funds are for health – Go
EMPHASIZING that PhilHealth funds «are for health,» Sen. Bong Go vowed to continue his efforts to provide better access to health services even with the Supreme Court's move stopping PhilHealth from transferring its excess funds to the national treasury.
The senator said that PhilHealth funds are essential in meeting the medical needs of poor Filipinos.
«I will not stop until PhilHealth fulfills all its promises. This includes increasing case rates, expanding benefits packages, decreasing premium contributions, providing emergency and preventive care, providing dental and visual care, free medicine, assistive devices, and other health needs to the poor, adjusting outdated policies, including the 24-hour confinement rule and single-period confinement policy that it reviewed recently, and many others,» he said.
Sen. Christopher Bong Go. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIAGo said he intends to raise these issues in November when the Senate resumes its hearings.
The senator said that the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court strengthens his commitment to ensure that all Filipinos will have access to essential healthcare.
«The issuance of this TRO does not end our crusade. This will give us more resolve and more determination to fight for every Filipino's fundamental right to health, especially the poor and the helpless, so that we may bring some hope for the hopeless and voice to the voiceless,» said Go.
AdvertisementGo had opposed the transfer of PhilHealth funds, saying reassigning these funds for other purposes could severely impact the health care system.
He lamented that despite holding a P500 billion reserve, PhilHealth has failed to maximize its resources for public benefit.
The senator reiterated his stance that PhilHealth's excess funds should be used to enhance health care packages, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and introduce new benefit programs to address the population's most pressing medical needs.
On Monday, the Supreme Court issued a TRO stopping PhilHealth from transferring its excess funds to the treasury.
AdvertisementFinance Secretary Ralph Recto said his agency will respect the TRO.
«I recognize the right of every citizen to seek redress
