(Eagle News) – The Universal Health Care bill could be passed into law before the end of the year.
Senator Sonny Angara, co-author of the said measure, said the final version of the bill will be sent to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
Under the bill, all Filipinos will be automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program either as direct contributor (those who have the capacity to pay premiums) or indirect contributor (those sponsored by the government such as indigents and senior citizens).
Aside from this, they can also avail of primary health care services even without PhilHealth identification cards.
Once the measure becomes a law, those who are not enrolled under PhilHealth could still avail of its health care services since the premium subsidy will be gradually adjusted and included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Angara said it will also cover fees for consultation and hospital confinement.
The lawmaker also assured that there will be a steady source of funds to sustain the measure once enacted into law.
“Yung pondo ay makukuha sa iba’t-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan gaya ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth at iba pa. Malapit na po, malaki na ang tsansa na maisabatas po yan,” Angara said in a radio interview.
Once the measure is enacted into law, the Department of Finance, Department of Health and other concerned government agencies are tasked to promulgate the necessary rules and regulation for the implementation of this law 60 days upon its effectivity.
The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation.