AKO BICOL Party List Representative Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr. calls on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) to expedite the crafting of the circular that raises the dialysis coverage to 144 sessions until the end of the year.

Garbin pointed out that it has been two weeks since this circular was brought up, but no developments has occurred yet.

To hasten the process, the House member recommends that the committee submit it to the President Rodrigo Duterte so he can sign it as soon as possible.

“Most probably the December 31, 2020 deadline is budget-related but with the 2021 budget now with the bicameral conference committee, Congress can send the budget bill to President Rodrigo Duterte so he could sign it,” he said.

“It can issue interim guidelines and procedures for the expanded dialysis coverage and then simply update that circular in January based on the 2021 budget funding of the PhilHealth,” Garbin added.

Garbin pointed out that patients and medical institutions are still having a hard time dealing with the shortcomings of PhilHealth regarding the delayed remittances. He then highlighted that the institution must realize how grave their role is, especially when they fail to accomplish their responsibilities.

“PhilHealth must work better because there are life and death consequences when PhilHealth fails to act in time,” he said.

The P15-billion corruption scandal of PhilHealth this year lead to the resignation of its Chief and Duterte appointee Ricardo Morales along with some top officials.

PhilHealth is also facing an accumulated debt of P623 million for the COVID-19 testing services of Philippine Red Cross.

Photo Credit: Facebook/Aldredo Garbin