Boholanos, who can hardly pay for their health bills and hospitalization, will no longer queue up at the offices here to beg for financial assistance as the provincial government has set into motion the provincial-subsidized Philhealth Universal Coverage of Indigents in Bohol on November 4, 2009 in time for 113th birth anniversary of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia. According to V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera, the launching of the health insurance program was proof of Gov. Erico Aumentado commitment to make essential health and social services available or affordable to all Bohololanos.

The vice-governor added that the program underscored the strong partnership between the Department of Health through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIP) represented by Health Sec. Francisco Duque III and the provincial government of Bohol . Duque, who will be the guest of honor during the CPG Day, is expected to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DOH and the province to be represented by Gov. Aumentado to pursue the program implementation. The vice-governor has been announcing the planned health insurance during his sorties in the barangays since last year. Citing the responsibility of the government to its constituency on health concern, Herrera said the government should attend to the need and to provide all citizens to financial access to health services. Herrera said that the insurance system will eventually reduce the expenses of the concerned citizens who are queuing up at the offices of the provincial officials to beg for fund assistance for their sick who are confined at the hospitals.

MOA

The Memorandum of Agreement has outlined the roles and responsibilities of each party to carry out the health insurance program. It also defines benefits and offers services in NHIP's Regular In-Patient and Out-Patient Package (Phase I) and the Out-Patient Consultation and Diagnostic Package (Phase II). The services offered under the program shall be administered by the authorized district hospitals in accordance with the Philhealth's standards and guidelines. Other benefits available for free include laboratory fees for Chest X-ray, Complete Blood Count, Pecalysis, Urinalysis, and Sputum Microscopy, the MOA provides. “Additional benefits may be integrated into the program based on set (of) criteria and in consideration of Philhealth's financial capability.” The provincial government, Herrera said, was committed to subsidize qualified indigent-member, preferably head of the family, whose income may be below the poverty line. Under the proposed MOA, the first, 2nd and 3rd class municipalities mainly based on their incomes and the Philhealth shall have a 50-50 insurance premium contribution sharing. While those under the4th, 5th and 6th class towns “shall be progressively increased.” For instance, a municipality under the 4th class bracket shall contribute only 10% during the first year and 45% until the 9th year onwards. The rest of the premium payment shall be shouldered by the province. Under the MOA (section 4, paragraph 5.3) Philhealth shall grant 50% discount on premium payments for indigent patients.

Go-signal

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan last Friday presided over by senior board member Cesar Tomas Lopez has given the go-signal for the health insurance implementation. The provincial board approved a Resolution authorizing the governor to represent the province and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the program implementation. Under the Local Government Code, the provincial board is empowered to authorize the governor to sign any contract or MOA for a specific program or project that benefits the public. Herrera said that the program is patterned after that of Bukidnon and La Union provinces. (RVO)