House defers debates on DOH budget due to inaction, lack of plans

House of Representatives (File Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Zaldy De Layola, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday suspended the plenary deliberations on the proposed Department of Health (DOH) 2025 budget due to the agency’s inaction and lack of specific plans to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipinos on medical services.

AGRI Party-List Rep. Wilbert T. Lee moved for the suspension of the debates as he was not satisfied with the agency responses regarding the implementation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) benefit increases.

“Nakakadismaya po itong ganitong ginagawa ng DOH. Nagbibingi-bingihan ba ang mga opisyal ng kagawarang ito o manhid na ba ito sa mga hinaing ng mga Pilipino pagdating sa kulang-kulang na serbisyong pangkalusugan? Bakit hindi nila maibigay ang dapat at kayang ibigay para sa buhay at kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan (It is disappointing that DOH is doing this. Are the officials of the agency turning a deaf ear or being numb to the grievances of Filipinos when it comes to inadequate health services? Why can’t they deliver what should be given for the health of the people)?” he said.

Lee earlier questioned the lack of urgency and inaction of the PhilHealth Benefits Committee (BenCom) led by the DOH in addressing the needs of the members and beneficiaries.

“We are not only violating their rights. Worse, we are allowing them to die without a fight,” he said.

As he moved for the postponement of the debates, Lee asked the DOH and PhilHealth officials to submit the following:

• a detailed and comprehensive plan with a timeline on how to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipinos on their hospitalization costs;
• implement a radical increase in the benefits package to include diagnostic tests, such as the PET scan, MRI, and CT scan as part of the outpatient services covered by PhilHealth;
• a revised benefit plan approved by the PhilHealth Board with an implementation timeline;
• implement full coverage for cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, and procedures for heart diseases;
• implement the benefits increase across the board by 50 percent effective immediately;
• include optometric services and eyeglasses in the PhilHealth benefits package not later than Sept. 30;
• expansion plan on PhilHealth accredited facilities in providing various special medical services like breast cancer;
• implement a timeline of the Konsulta program of PhilHealth;
• comprehensive report on medicines and vaccines, including the latest statement of allotment, obligation, and disbursement; and
• the Health Facilities Enhancement Program’s (HFEP) latest statement of allotment, obligation, and disbursement, including plans and timelines for acquiring medical equipment for public hospitals.

“We need a radical overhaul and not incremental change in our health financing,” said Lee, a staunch health advocate, who successfully pushed for the 30 percent increase in PhilHealth benefits implemented on Feb. 14.

There is no final schedule yet when the plenary deliberation on the DOH budget will resume, but the House Plenary debates are set to wind up this week.