SBN-2985: Mandatory Philhealth Coverage to All Persons With Disability
- This bill provides all PWDs with automatic health insurance coverage under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).
- To support their enrollment to Philhealth, the national government shall pay for their premium payments to be sourced from the sin tax collections in accordance with Republic Act No. 10351 otherwise known as “An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products”.
Explanatory Note
The Philippines is known as a nation that holds in high regard the promotion of social justice and values the dignity of every human person. In line with this, Congress has enacted laws that promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of basic human rights by all human beings, including persons with disability (PWDs).
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines PWDs as those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which may hinder their full and effective participation in the society on an equal basis with others. The same convention called on all UN member-states to ensure that PWDs enjoy their rights, freedom and dignity.
In the Philippines, the rights of PWDs, particularly in the fields of employment, education, health, auxiliary services and telecommunications are enshrined in Republic Act No. 7227 or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability”. This law also prohibits any and all discriminatory acts against PWDs. Subsequently, RA No. 9442 which amended the said Magna Carta extended to PWDs the privileges and incentives being enjoyed by senior citizens such as discounts on purchases of select goods and services.
The 2010 Census showed that there are approximately 1,442,586 PWDs in the country representing 1.53% of the entire Filipino population. The same people are said to belong to the poorest segments of the Filipino population. Thus, they are the ones who are greatly challenged to provide for their basic needs, specifically those that are health and medical in nature.
I have filed this bill to provide all PWDs with automatic health insurance coverage under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth). Once enacted into law, all PWDs shall be able to enjoy the benefits of Philhealth. By doing so, they will be freed, to some extent, from the financial burden of availing health care services. To support their enrollment to Philhealth, the national government shall pay for their premium payments to be sourced from the sin tax collections in accordance with Republic Act No. 10351 otherwise known as “An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products”.
It is in this regard that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RALPH G. RECTO
