President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed into law the Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill that would enable all Filipino citizens to get access to more affordable health care.
The law aims for a total inclusion of all Filipinos in the National Health Insurance Program that will be created as part of the measure.
From multitudes of segments, the new law now simplifies the groups to contributory or those who pay contributions via their payroll, and non-contributory (those who are enrolled in the program, fully subsidized from tax collections).
The Department of Health has released a full comparison of the current policy of PhilHealth vis-à-vis the new UHC provisions that highlight specifics on financing, eligibility, uniform benefits, and more.
In his State of the Nation Address last 2018, Duterte asked for the immediate assistance of the Senate to speed up the passage of the law after it passed the House of Representatives back then. “To this end, I urge the speedy passage of the Universal Health Care Bill authored by Former Representative Harry Roque. Strong political determination, not political ambition, is the guiding light,” said Duterte.
Fast forward to today, the Universal Health Care Bill is now part of the legacy of the Duterte Administration as a promise that he has kept for the every Filipino’s health and welfare.
Infographics from the Department of Health
