Press Release
March 8, 2016

Cayetano pledges to end corruption to achieve universal healthcare, to enforce anti-hospital deposit law

Asserting that the poor shouldn't be burdened by the high cost of hospital care, Vice presidential candidate and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano today vowed to address corruption to realize universal healthcare coverage for all Filipinos.

"Dahil sa gulo at korapsyon, walang maayos na serbisyong kalusugan ang mga tao," Cayetano said.

"Ayon sa mga eksperto, 6 out of 10 Filipinos namamatay ng hindi nakakita ng doktor. Ang mahihirap, 'di tinatanggap ng mga pribadong ospital dahil lang walang pambayad. Sa pampublikong ospital naman, sasalubungin sila ng kulang na pasilidad," Cayetano added.

A 2014 Global Financial Integrity (GFI) study says that the Philippine economy was cheated of $132.9 billion or more than P6 trillion in illicit money outflows from corruption in the past five decades, incurring losses of over P357 billion yearly on average.

Cayetano said, if elected, he will push for the full coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Company (PhilHealth), as well as the full implementation of PhilHealth's "zero billing" services to members.

It was reported that a resident doctor at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Hospital allegedly refused to admit a pregnant patient in labor because she did not have any cash with her.

The patient was then rushed to the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, but was also not accepted since there was no vacant incubator at the public hospital. The baby soon died after delivery.

Cayetano also vowed to put up more public tertiary hospitals in the regions, and ensure the full implementation of Republic Act No. 8344, also known as the "Anti-Hospital Deposit Law," which prohibits hospitals to demand advance payments before admitting patients in need of emergency treatment.

"Where the present government has failed on its promises, I will deliver. By cleansing the government of corruption, we will be able to provide our people better and more social services and programs like universal healthcare coverage. This is part of the bold and swift solutions I offer to the Filipino families this election," Cayetano ended.

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