News
PhilHealth Hosts 12th Anniversary Press Conference -
February 28, 2007
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation recently hosted a Press Conference on the occasion of its 12th Anniversary. The press briefing was held at the Annabel's Restaurant during the regular Health Forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians. Acting PhilHealth President and CEO Lorna O. Fajardo explains that PhilHealth was able to pay about P17B in benefits to its members in 2006 and is expecting to reach the P20B mark by yearend.
The Press Conference had as panelists PhilHealth officers Dr. Nelia Tanio, Accreditation Manager (not in photo), (L-R) Dr. Madeleine R. Valera, Vice President for Quality Assurance Research and Policy Development Group and OIC, OVP-Health Finance Policy and Services Sector, Octavino Q. Esguerra, Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary and OIC - OSVP for Management Services Sector, Fajardo, Melinda C. Mercado, Senior Vice President for Operations, Gregorio C. Rulloda, Vice President for Membership and Contributions Management Group, Rodolfo M. Balog, Vice President for National Capital Region and Ruben John A. Basa, Corporate Planning Manager (not in photo).
Esguerra emphasizes the need for members to understand the concept of social health insurance and why PhilHealth does not shoulder the entire hospital bill of a member. He added that "to cover the entire RP population would be impossible," since there are certain sectors that are just not feasible for coverage. "But if they come to us to sign up as members, then we can provide them with health insurance coverage."
Valera stresses that since 1999, they have been studying the prices of medicines in the country and have put in place the Drug Price Reference Index to provide members with the price range of medicines that are commonly bought by Filipinos.
Basa presented the highlights of PhilHealth's accomplishments in 2006 that included the introduction of four (4) new benefits, the increase in national government subsidy for the annual premium of enrolled indigents, the zero backlog in claims from overseas Filipino workers, among others.
Valera presents PhilHealth's campaign for excellence in quality medical care and announced the launch of the Quality Awards for partner-providers. The recognition will be granted to institutional health care providers an incentive to encourage these hospitals to aim for excellence in terms of the services that they provide and further promote medical tourism in our country. She added that PhilHealth will identify the kind of recognition to be given to hospitals after the first year of implementation of the PhilHealth Benchbook.
Balog explains that local chief executives have realized the importance of the Sponsored Program in ensuring the health of their constituents and that they have eventually become advocates of the program. He also stressed that PhilHealth spends for the production of information materials for distribution to members nationwide. "This program is public service in nature," he said.
Edwin Eusebio of Radio DZME asks whether PhilHealth is connected to the Department of Health, whether the National Health Insurance Program can be politicized and whether it is mandatory for the program to involve local chief executives.
Fajardo and Mercado listen to questions from editors and reporters towards the end of the press briefing.
Balog answers questions from a reporter. Various national media organizations were represented in the media briefing which lasted until 1:30 p.m.
Esguerra goes over figures presented by reporter Ira Pedrasa of Businessworld.
Valera expounds on PhilHealth's quality health care programs in an interview with Venessa Castrillo of UNTV 37.
Fajardo was similarly interviewed by Castrillo for the program "Kaagapay" which airs every Friday at 6:00 p.m. over UNTV 37.
The Press Conference is the first media event of PhilHealth Central Office for the year. Reporters, editors, columnists, and commentators from such media networks as RPN-9, IBC-13, UNTV 37, RJTV 29, GMA-7, NBN-4, radio stations DWBL, DZME, RMN-DZXL, DZBB, DZAR, DWWW, DZRV, DZRM, DZRJ, DWSS, RV Asia, DWIZ, and publications like Philippine Daily Inquirer, Businessworld, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Chronicle, Malaya, The Migrants-Taiwan, Daily Balita, Seaway, Punto, News Asia,Baby Magazine, Health and Lifestyle Magazine, Saksi, Medical Observer, and Todo Silip News attended the event. (Photos by Juanito G. Pineda, CorComm)