AGRI Party-list Representative and senatorial candidate Wilbert Lee has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to prioritize upgrading public hospitals and medical facilities to ensure that the expanded benefits offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) can be fully utilized by Filipinos.
During a recent hearing of the House Committee on Health, Lee stressed the urgent need for critical medical equipment like Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines in public hospitals. He highlighted that without these tools, many patients would not be able to take advantage of PhilHealth’s enhanced coverage.
“Masasayang lang ang mga dagdag na coverage kung wala namang mga gamit at makina. Napakarami nating kababayan na kapag sinabihan na kailangang magpa-CT scan, hindi na bumabalik dahil mahal ang gagastusin,” Lee pointed out. “Ngayong may sasagutin na ang PhilHealth, hindi pa rin ito agad mapakinabangan dahil ilan lang ang ospital na may ganitong pasilidad. Ang PET scan equipment, NKTI (National Kidney Transplant Institute) at UP Philippine General Hospital lang ang meron, gaano pa katagal ang hihintayin nila?”
Lee’s push follows an agreement between the DOH and PhilHealth, which was finalized during the 2024 budget deliberations. Under the deal, the DOH is required to submit a comprehensive plan to acquire medical equipment and improve facilities through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Lee plans to file a bill that would grant amnesty to unresolved cases involving hospitals and doctors, as well as denied PhilHealth claims due to late filings. He argued that minor infractions, such as double payments or filing delays, should not lead to heavy penalties or hospital suspensions that disrupt services.
“Maraming kaso na maliliit at mga kasong dahil sa ‘double entry’ or ‘double payments’. Nabanggit ko na po ito nung 2023 pa, mga kaso na P2,000 ang halaga, pero ang penalty ay aabot ng P300,000, tapos suspendido pa ang ospital, na dahilan kung bakit hindi makatanggap ng PhilHealth patients,” Lee explained. “Kailangan po natin ng mas maraming ospital na nakakapagbigay ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Kung masususpinde sila at haharap sa mga kaso na kung tutuusin ay maliit lang naman, sa huli, apektado ang kanilang serbisyo.”
PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. expressed full support for Lee’s proposed legislation. “From the side of PhilHealth, 100 percent support po. It will solve a lot of problems. We are with you 100 percent,” Ledesma stated.
Lee, who previously exposed billions in unused PhilHealth funds in 2023, urged the DOH to act swiftly in improving healthcare services. “Ang ipinaglalaban natin, libreng gamot at pagpapagamot. Magtulungan tayo, ang gobyerno at pribadong sektor, para makamit ito at talagang mapagaan ang pasanin ng taumbayan. Hindi pwedeng kanya-kanya at maging pabigat pa tayo sa isa’t isa!,” he said.
@lionheartv AGRI Party-list Representative at kumakandidatong Senador @Wilbert “Wise” Lee , muling kinalampag ang DOH para bilisan ang pagkakaloob ng mga kagamitan sa pampublikong ospital, reaction sa kaparehas na gustong tutukan ang health sector katulad ni Willie Ong #WilbertLee #WillieOng #EntertainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentPH #NewsPH #BestOfTiktokPH #LionhearTV #RAWRNation
The congressman also emphasized the importance of educating the public about available healthcare benefits. He noted that many Filipinos are unaware of the expanded coverage and the procedures to access them.
“Bukod sa dagdag na mga benepisyo, dagdag na mga kagamitan at ospital, dapat pagsikapan pa natin ang pagbibigay-alam sa mga Pilipino ng mga serbisyong libre at sagot na ng gobyerno. Kung may tanong o kailangan sila, dapat alam nila kung saan tatawag o lalapit. Paano nila mapapakinabangan ang mga ito kung hindi nila alam?,” Lee said.
Lee has been instrumental in advocating for significant reforms in PhilHealth, which now includes:
- Free dialysis treatments.
- Expanded coverage for diseases such as breast cancer, heart ailments, and kidney transplants.
- Increased benefits for over 9,000 case rates.
In closing, Lee reiterated his commitment to fighting for accessible healthcare for all Filipinos. “Dapat mawala na ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan na magkasakit dahil sa takot na malubog sa utang at kahirapan ang kanilang pamilya. Ang layunin ko: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko!” he declared.
The congressman’s advocacy underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector in ensuring quality healthcare for the nation.
