Labis po nating ikinagagalak at taos puso ang ating pasasalamat kay Pangulong Duterte sa kaniyang paglagda ngayong araw at pormal na pagsasabatas ng matagal na nating isinusulong na Universal Health Care.

The Universal Health Care law will transform the health seeking behavior of Filipinos. UHC makes medical consultation and several basic laboratory tests affordable and accessible. This will allow the people to value their health more by regularly consulting with doctors.

“Bawal magkasakit dahil magastos magkasakit” shall be a thing of the past. Under the UHC law, all Filipinos become automatic members of PhilHealth and are covered by the National Health Insurance Program of the government.

Ibig sabihin, hindi na mangangamba ang ating mga kababayan tuwing sila’y magkakasakit o sa mga pagkakataon na madapuan ng karamdaman ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Karamay na ang gobyerno sa gastusin at abot-kaya na ang pagpapagamot.

The UHC is one of the primary reasons I fought for the restoration of almost P16 billion funds for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program and the P7 billion for the Human Resources for Health of the Department of Health in the 2019 national budget.

We want the completion of constructions and renovations of health facilities of barangay health stations, provincial, regional, and national hospital; and furnish them with all the necessary medical equipment and health professionals they need to be capable of providing primary health care at the grassroots level. This and many more are the noble intentions of the UHC.

Our work will not stop here. We will ensure the sustainable funding for UHC. We will also continue working with the civil society organizations, medical community and other stakeholders to ensure the success of its implementation. #####