Check Philippine budget on health coverage

After evaluating the administration's proposed 2006 supplementary budget, Senator Edgardo J. Angara today called for the clear and accurate data on PhilHealth's present coverage so as to appropriate the necessary budget for the national insurance system.

Angara called for more comprehensive data on PhilHealth's present coverage because the government is responsible for the administration of the national health insurance program for Filipino families four years from now.

Angara noted that there are 17 million Filipino families today and roughly around 12 million families are covered by PhilHealth.

He also noted that out of 12 million families, only 2.4 million are subsidized, or covered by PhilHelath as indigent or sponsored programs.

"I want to see these figures because I want to see whether we are on schedule or we are falling behind. If I remember it right, PhilHealth is supposed to have universal coverage by 2010. That means every single Filipino family must be covered by the health insurance when 2010 comes," said Angara who authored the law that created PhilHealth in the late 90s.

Angara also said that funds contributed by the Local Government Units for the premium contributions of indigent members were also entrusted to PhilHealth.

PhilHealth assumed the responsibility of administering the former Medicare program for government and private sector employees, with its landmark transfer from the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System.