• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City has been designated as the Department of Health (DOH) hospital in Negros Island Region.
In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the administration has assured that every Filipino gets free services and medicines of DOH hospital basic accommodation.
With the additional 15 percent funds in maintenance and other operating expenses ordered by the President himself, DOH hospitals are better prepared to implement the “No Balance Billing” policy, which is a concrete step towards better quality medical services for all.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who is the principal author of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, called on Congress to pass Senate Bill No. 1, which proposes a P74.4-billion supplemental budget for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), saying the success of the UHC Law depends on adequate and timely funding.
Ejercito said the funding boost is crucial to achieving zero balance billing in government hospitals – a key reform that would eliminate out-of-pocket payments for indigent patients, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups.
While welcoming Marcos’ commitment to the UHC during his State of the Nation Address, Ejercito lamented the slow rollout of benefits already mandated under the law.
He noted that services such as free consultations, cancer screenings, and zero billing are already embedded in the UHC framework.
“Had there been seriousness in implementing UHC from the beginning, there would be no need to announce these benefits one by one,” Ejercito said.
“Every Filipino should have long been feeling these benefits. Medicines should not be a problem, expenses should not be a barrier, and consulting a doctor should not feel like a privilege,” he added.
For its part, PhilHealth has clarified that no additional documents are needed for members to avail of the Zero Billing or No Balance Billing Policy in DOH hospitals across the country.
The policy is automatic and inclusive, in accordance with the UHC Law, it said, adding that even those unable to pay contributions are covered.
The agency further assured the public of its commitment to uphold the law’s provisions. | GB with PNA reports
