Manila: House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday advocated for the swift approval of a bill aimed at establishing a Mental Health Voucher System under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). This initiative seeks to aid low- and middle-income Filipinos in accessing consultations, therapy, medication, and other mental health services without the burden of cost.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized that the proposed Mental Health Voucher Act is intended to transform mental health care from an aspiration to a practical service affordable for ordinary families. This aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to accessible health care and Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III's dedication to legislation addressing the everyday challenges of Filipino households.
Marcos stated that mental health care should not be a privilege limited to those who can afford it. He expressed the need for a system where students, parents, or workers dealing with anxiety or depression can seek help before their situations become critical.
House Bill No. 9327 aims to expand mental health coverage under PhilHealth by introducing a voucher system. This system would grant eligible PhilHealth members and their dependents pre-approved subsidies for mental health services and medications. It enhances Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act, by providing a direct financing mechanism for care, particularly for Filipinos whose treatment is delayed or inaccessible due to high costs.
Under the proposed system, PhilHealth would issue non-transferable mental health vouchers to qualified beneficiaries. Each voucher would represent a pre-approved financial subsidy usable only for services from accredited mental health providers. Eligible beneficiaries include registered PhilHealth members and dependents clinically diagnosed with a mental health condition by a licensed physician.
The bill mandates a mental health assessment certificate from a psychiatrist affiliated with an accredited government hospital under the Department of Health. This certificate would detail the diagnosis, recommended treatment plan, required services, and prescribed medications.
PhilHealth would be responsible for creating a streamlined application system, including digital platforms, to receive, verify, and evaluate applications. Approved vouchers would specify the benefit package, authorized services, and validity period, ranging from six to twelve months, with annual renewals upon re-evaluation and submission of an updated assessment certificate.
The bill outlines tiered mental health benefit packages, including a basic package for outpatient interventions, a standard package for moderate conditions, and a comprehensive package for severe or chronic conditions. These packages would cover varying levels of psychiatric consultations, therapy sessions, medication subsidies, and additional mental health services.
Marcos highlighted that mental health issues affect not only the individual but also their family, school, workplace, and community. The bill offers a practical solution for seeking help, reflecting the belief of President Marcos and Speaker Dy that health care should be accessible to all Filipinos, especially those unable to afford treatment.
The measure also proposes creating a dedicated Mental Health Fund Pool within PhilHealth to finance the benefits, services, and administrative needs of the voucher system. Funding would come from PhilHealth, annual appropriations under the General Appropriations Act, and other legal sources, including sin tax allocations and earmarked health revenues.
PhilHealth would lead the implementation, with the Department of Health and the National Mental Health Council assisting in setting clinical standards, accrediting providers, integrating data systems, monitoring service delivery, and evaluating program outcomes.
