Manila: Senator JV Ejercito on Wednesday announced his intention to review the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, suggesting that this is an opportune moment to evaluate and recalibrate the landmark legislation. Ejercito, who is the principal author and sponsor of the law, revealed plans to convene the Senate Oversight Committee on UHC implementation by August or September to assess the progress made since its 2019 enactment.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Senator emphasized the importance of identifying shortcomings and mistakes in the law's execution and exploring ways to enhance its implementation. He highlighted the financial strain that medical bills impose on Filipino families, pointing out that the current coverage provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is insufficient. Specifically, a PHP100,000 hospital bill currently sees only PHP8,000 covered by PhilHealth, whereas Ejercito believes that 30 to 50 percent of such expenses should be subsidized to alleviate out-of-pocket costs.

During a recent visit to the Quezon Medical Center, Ejercito praised the improvements in the facility but noted the need for further support and equipment. He observed significant changes, including better management, the availability of CT scans, MRIs, and zero balance billing, attributing these advancements to having a doctor-led administration.

Ejercito stated his commitment to working with the Department of Health (DOH) to address existing gaps, particularly the necessity for pediatric ICU ventilators. As a sponsor of the DOH budget in the Senate, he reaffirmed his support for enhancing healthcare infrastructure. He also confirmed that Quezon Medical Center is among the facilities earmarked for upgrades under the Regional Specialty Centers Law, with its budget increasing from PHP2 million to PHP6 million. Ejercito urged stakeholders to make the most of this funding by acquiring essential equipment for heart, kidney, or cancer services.

Finally, Ejercito acknowledged the ambitious nature of the UHC Law but maintained that it is a crucial initiative worth pursuing, as healthcare should not present a financial burden to the people.