HONTIVEROS: PASSAGE OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE BILL, A GIANT STEP IN EQUALIZING HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY FOR ALL FILIPINOS

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday lauded the passage on third and final reading of Senate Bill No. 1896 otherwise known as "The Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill," which seeks to expand the country's health care infrastructure to make health care available to all Filipinos.

Hontiveros, who is a co-author and co-sponsor of the bill, said the passage of the measure is "a giant leap forward in closing the gap between the rich and poor on the access and delivery of quality and affordable health services in the country."

"This is a giant step in our effort to equalize health care service delivery for all Filipinos. Its universal fulfillment is a step towards eradicating inequality," Hontiveros said.

"The measure will have a significant, lasting and profound effect on the health of every Filipinos as it closes the economic, class and gender gaps in the delivery of healthcare systems in the country," Hontiveros added.

The proposed measure was principally sponsored by Senator JV Ejercito, who heads the Senate Committee on Health. The bill mandates that all Filipinos, especially the poor, are afforded adequate health coverage, access to a network of facilities and quality services.

The measure also guarantees equal access to quality and affordable health services for all Filipinos and institute changes in the operations of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to enhance the delivery of benefits to all Filipinos. It covers free consultation, laboratory tests and other diagnostic services that are beneficial to Filipinos, especially the poor and the marginalized.

"Sa batas na ito, aking panalangin na wala nang Pilipino ang dapat maghirap dahil gusto lamang niyang maging malusog ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay, wala nang magulang ang dapat papiliin kung kaya ba niyang iligtas ang kaniyang anak sa peligro ng karamdaman," Hontiveros said.

Last February, Hontiveros filed her version of the UHC Bill,Senate Bill No. 1714 or the "Healthy Pinoy, Healthy Pinas Bill" to contribute to the overall discussions of health systems reforms and bring the country closer to the path of universal health care.