All Filipinos will soon be assigned to a primary care provider as well as quality and free health services in line with the Universal Health Care Act or Republic Act No. 11223, a Department of Health (DOH) officer said Wednesday.
Arfred Rosales, UHC focal person said that the UHC will improve the health system of the country.
He said that they are targeting the full implementation of the UHC in the year 2025.
“May naka-assign sa bawat family na mga health worker para mag-monitor at magbigay serbisyo sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Wala kayong babayaran dahil gusto natin na maramdaman ng tao na may gobyerno, regardless kung may kakayahan tayo o wala,” he said.
Under the law, all Filipinos will be assigned to a health worker who will guide them through different health care facilities.
He explained that all Filipinos will also be automatic members of PhilHealth as direct or indirect contributors and eligible to no-balance billing once admitted to basic or ward accommodations in hospitals.
“Lahat tayo ay entitled and eligible sa no-balance billing hindi katulad ngayon ang walang binabayaran ay mga indigent lang. Kahit tambay ka o kahit sino pa ay pwede,” he said.
Duque, however, said the expanded benefits would mean an increase in PhilHealth premiums in increments of .25 percent as the agency is targeting to cover 98 percent of the population.
“May mga pagbabago lang sa PhilHealth contributions, kapag may kakayahan ka direct ang tawag doon pero kapag wala ay popondohan ‘yon ng gobyerno,” he said.
Previously, health secretary Francisco Duque signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Universal Health Care Act. This will pave the way for the implementation of the law, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February that would provide health care coverage for all Filipinos.
