THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is now preparing for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law in 2024.
But Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who spoke during the UHC Summit hel at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City yesterday, November 24, admitted that Negros Occidental is still far off from the ideal situation under the law.
Approved into law by former President Rodrigo Duterte, among the salient features of the UHC are the expansion of population, service, and financial coverage through an array of health system amendments.
There’s also a planned paradigm shift to primary care, which is the core and center of all health reforms under the UHC.
With UHC, all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services, and protected against financial risk, the DOH earlier said.
It added that the UHC helps ensure every Filipino is healthy, protected from health hazards and risks, and has access to affordable, quality, and readily available health service that is suitable to their needs.
"It is where the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) downloads the money which the provincial government (could use and) just liquidates later on. That is the most ideal because we will have the money even before the services are provided," Lacson said.
The budget is in billions, but they still don't have the integration between the provincial government and the local government units, the governor said.
"What's good is we have inter-local health zones so we will just be dealing with the health zones for the integration," he added.
Lacson said that based on the presentations given by the PhilHealth and Department of Health, they are looking at 2024.
"We have the whole of 2023 to do our assignment and enjoy the benefit of the UHC," he said.
He also said that if there is really "zero billing there would be no need for the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP) anymore."
In the meantime, NOCHP is still very helpful to the residents, Lacson said.
Lacson said he will seek for a consensus from the 31 mayors of the province and explain to them "the benefits of the UHC law. When we speak of health, all chief executives include that in their development plans."
As to the claims by the provincial government with PhilHealth, Lacson said, "there are claims that were returned and we will try to comply while others are really denied."
For her part, Health Undersecretary Beverly Lorraine Ho said the UHC enables every Filipino to take care of themselves.
“They will have the knowledge, skills and attitude including their environment like their children, schools, workplaces and communities are enabling. It is also having a primary health care provider for every Filipino family," Ho, who was also present at the UHC summit, said.
She said there are many components of the UHC Law and "some parts are more fully implemented than others."
When asked if the national government has the money to fund the implementation of the law, Ho said that "over the years particularly since 2012 when our legislators passed the Tobacco Sin Tax law, we have been able to get more revenues for health."
"Since then, the budget for health has continuously increased, " Ho said although she did not disclose the amount.
"It is an increasing recognition from our leaders that health is important. We have to put in more money. The DOH is among the top three agencies with the most budget," she also said.
Ho added that “no country will ever have enough resources for health. The funding for health is increasing. If we are able to invest more that's good news already.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Renato Limsiaco, senior vice president for special assignment on UHC Administration of PhilHealth, explained that their office is still developing the global budget under Diagnostic Related Grouping.
He said that because of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic the full implementation of the UHC will be in 2024 where every Filipino will enjoy P500 for public and P750 every year for private accredited Konsulta Facilities.
"We hope to sign the contract with the province by 2024 as this needs capitation of the local government units with the help of the province and DOH," Limsiaco said.
He said that the UHC will cover the primary care services for outpatient consultation, for antibiotic medicines and maintenance drugs which can be availed by the beneficiaries through accredited Konsulta facilities.
As of this month, there are already 19 accredited Konsulta facilities in the province and six more applicants, Limsiaco added.*