Editorial
Public health insurance is the way to go
FAMILIES without members who are within the employment mainstream, either in government or the private sector, could not have in the recent past even dreamed of availing of the benefits of the social insurance system under the government-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Being outside the health care system — and even with the supposedly free or subsidized rates in government health centers and hospitals — poor families, especially those living way below the poverty line in rural areas, just leave it to fate when a member gets sick. Seeking medical treatment has simply been not an option for them.
That, however, has been slowly changing with congressmen and local government units distributing PhilHealth cards to indigent families. Undeniably, the giving out of the cards smacks of political gimmickry, what with the inevitable photo-ops and press releases. But this is a most welcome type of publicity stunt, definitely a more palatable route to campaigning for public office instead of blatantly buying votes on election day.
Furthermore, it serves government’s mission well too of providing universal access to all Filipinos. PhilHealth could not hope to achieve this goal without partnering with the local government units. And the heads of the LGUs and the congressmen are a good starting point. Each congressman blest with a pork barrel should make the distribution of health cards a priority. Provincial governments must allot a portion of the annual health budget to cover the premium for the poor. Pangasinan, we note with commendation to the administration of Gov. Amado Espino Jr., is already among the provinces with the most number of constituents with public health insurance coverage. The next step, then, is ensuring continued and improved benefits.
In the long-term, if the government hopes to institutionalize universal access, it must find ways to go beyond links with personalities so that the people can be assured of continued membership even when there is a change in leadership at the LGU level.
Public health care in the country leaves much to be desired. The government must perforce provide no matter how minimal. And while the system remains full of holes, stop-gap measures from our politicos — with their camera-ready smiles while handing out cards — are much appreciated. Health is not something that can be put on the sidelines. For the marginalized in our society, it could easily mean life or death.
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