MANILA, Philippines – Gagawin nang ganap na batas ang Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (Maifip) sa pamamagitan ng Universal Healthcare Medical Assistance Program (UHC MAP).
Natuklasan sa Senado na inaprubahan ang Senate Bill No. 1593 na naglalayong lumikha ng UHC MAP ng komite ng kalugusan, social justice welfare and rural development at finance.
Nakatakda sa panukala na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal na makialam o makisawsaw ang sinumang pulitiko o opisyal ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan nito.
“With the overarching goal of ensuring adequate financial protection for all Filipinos in need of medical care, there is, hereby, established the Universal Healthcare Medical Assistance Program (UHC МАР), which shall provide medical assistance for a range of medical services to indigent and financially incapacitated persons,” ayon sa panukala.
Sakaling maisabatas, hindi na maaaring ipatupad ang MAIFIP Program sa loob ng anim na buwan.
Ngunit, nakatakda din sa panukala na aakuin ng bagong batas ang lahat ng umiiral na MAIFIP applications at beneficiaries kaya’t makatatanggap pa ayuda ang lahat ng pasyente na dumaan sa naturang programa.
“The bill specifically prohibits public officials or candidates running for public office from using “any component of the UHC MAP for political patronage, including credit-claiming or personal promotion,” ayon sa panukala.
Lalagyan din ng sapat na proteksiyon ang lahat ng Medical Social Service Unit personnel at program implementers laban sa pananakot, panggigipit at paghihiganti sa pagtupad ng kanilang tungkulin sa ilalim ng batas. threats, coercion, or reprisal in the performance of their duties under the proposed law.
Kukunin naman ang inisyal na pondo nito sa MAIFIP.
Sakaling maibatas, sakop ng UHC MAP ang sumusunod na medical assistance;
1. Payment of medical and health expenses, such as, but not limited to, inpatient services, outpatient services, comprehensive check-up and diagnostics, emergency services, dental services, ambulatory care services, ophthalmology services, drugs and medicines, and professional fees
2. Assurance of no co-payment obligations after the application of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits, health maintenance organization coverage, and other applicable deductions.
3. A sunset provision in the bill sets the program’s expiration after 10 years, unless otherwise extended by Congress. Ernie Reyes
