By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY – Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has welcomed the outpouring of support from individuals, personalities, groups and netizens in urging the Department of Health (DOH) to fast-track the implementation of additional increases in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits and the inclusion of expensive diagnostic tests and scans in the state health insurer’s benefit packages.
During the DOH budget hearing on September 4, Rep. Lee scored the DOH for the slow-pacing of additional increase in PhilHealth benefits, pointing out that, the DOH, which chairs the Benefits Committee (BenCom) of PhilHealth, is mandated to ensure that healthcare services will truly cater to Filipinos.
The Bicolano solon also warned the DOH that he will move to defer their budget if it remains unaddressed in the upcoming House plenary debates for the 2025 National Budget.
In the same hearing, Lee presented a sample hospital bill of a patient who underwent Radio Frequency Ablation with 3D-mapping which amounted to more than P470,000, yet only less than 5% or about P24,000 was covered by PhilHealth.
Filipinos relate much to this issue which prompted numerous comments on social media.
“Ako nga P750K yung bill ko sinagot lang ng PhilHealth eh P60K lang…eh tapos laging taas nang taas sa premiums sila…sana makonsensya naman kayo (My bill was P750K, PhilHealth just shouldered P60K only…eh they always increase the premiums…hope you will be conscienticized),” a netizen commented.
Echoing the same sentiment, one netizen commented: “P129K bill sa hospital, stroke at seizure sakit ng pasyente. P28K lang ang kaltas ng PhilHeallth. Mas malaki pa ang kaltas ng senior discount (P129K was the hospital bill, stroke and seizure were the patient’s ailments. Only P28K was the PhilHealth deduction. The senior discount deduction was even bigger).”
“Same sa sis-in-law ko, P1.5M bill pero P54K lang bawas, mas malaki pa bawas ng PWD (Same with my sis-in-law, P1.5M bill but only P54K was deducted, the PWD deduction was even bigger),” another netizen commented.
Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon, a health reform advocate and former DOH special adviser for non-communicable diseases, also expressed his support to Rep. Lee as he posted on his social media account some highlights of the solon’s interpellation/questions during the budget hearing.
“There are only few brave lawmakers who stand firm for the health of our people. Salute to Cong. Lee,” Leachon posted on his X account (formerly Twitter).
Meantime, some social media netizens hailed Lee for using his platform as a lawmaker to confront health officials about the complaints and challenges faced by Filipinos.
“I salute you for being so brave to fight for what is right, Sir Wilbert. I hope this department will visit the public hospital to check physically what’s really happening inside,” a netizen said.
For Rep. Lee, these comments shared by citizens online represent millions of Filipinos who continue to suffer from their worry of falling ill due to the fear of plummeting into poverty.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa suporta ng ating mga kababayan sa ating ipinaglalaban para maibsan ang pasanin at pangamba ng bawat pamilya ukol sa kanilang kalusugan. Asahan nyong patuloy kong isasaboses at ilalaban ang inyong hinaing tulad ng napagtagumpayan na nating 30% increase sa PhilHealth benefits (We are expressing our gratitude for the support of our countrymen in our advocacy to lessen the burden and anxiety of each family on their health. Rest assured that I will continue to be your voice and to fight for your grievances like in succeeding already in the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits),” the Bicol lawmaker said.
“Gamitin ang bilyon-bilyong pondo ng PhilHealth para sa dagdag pang mga benepisyo hanggang maabot ang libreng pagpapagamot para sa lahat. Huwag dapat itong patagalin! Buhay at kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino ang nakataya dito! Laban natin ito! Gawin na natin (Use the billions of funds of PhilHealth for the additional benefits until the free treatment for all will be reached. This should not take long! Life and livelihood of Filipinos are at stake here! This is our fight! Let’s do it!” he added.
It will be remembered that Rep. Lee, who is a staunch health advocate, successfully led the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented on Feb. 14, 2024.
The party-list lawmaker is currently pushing for another round of 30% increase and if funds would suffice, an eventual decrease in members’ monthly contribution.
