Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez welcomed March 3 the decision of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to significantly increase the benefit package for breast cancer patients, and reiterated his call to further expand other benefit packages and services, to include the early detection of cancer.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives praised PhilHealth’s announcement of a 1,400-percent increase in the “Z benefit package” for breast cancer patients, elevating it from P100,000 to a substantial P1.4 million, adding this is a crucial step towards enhancing healthcare services in the country.
“We applaud PhilHealth for its substantial increase in support of breast cancer patients, marking a significant stride towards advancing healthcare,” Romualdez said.
Expanding other benefits and services, particularly in early cancer detection for timely interventions, is also essential to ultimately enhance accessibility to cancer care and address other diseases, he added.
Romualdez acknowledged the importance of addressing the needs of breast cancer patients and commended PhilHealth for taking proactive measures to enhance the benefit package.
“The decision of PhilHealth to increase the benefit package for breast cancer patients is a commendable move as it will undoubtedly alleviate the financial burden faced by patients and their families during their battle against this life-threatening disease,” he stressed in a press release.
“While increasing the benefit package for breast cancer patients is a commendable step, we must not overlook the importance of early detection in saving lives. I encourage PhilHealth to consider expanding the package to cover the cost of cancer screenings, enabling early detection and intervention,” Romualdez added.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the Philippines, with a rising incidence rate in recent years.
Romualdez highlighted the need for comprehensive support, including financial assistance and quality healthcare services, to effectively combat the disease.
In addition to boosting the benefit package for breast cancer patients, PhilHealth also revealed a 30-percent increase in all benefit packages for its members.
This decision aligns with Romualdez’s vision of accessible and affordable healthcare for all. His advocacy for expanded benefit packages and services underscores his dedication to improving healthcare services in the country. ||
