First Regular Session: Fifteenth Congress of The Republic) of The Philippines)
First Regular Session: Fifteenth Congress of The Republic) of The Philippines)
SENATE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Unfortunately, it would seem that the State has failed, and continues to
fail, in performing the above-quoted Constitutional imperative. In fact, health
financing does not rank high in the govemment's priorities. In 2005, of the Php
181Billion total expenditure for health, 48.4% came from out-of-pocket
expenditure of individual families. Govemment's share, on the other hand, was
only 28.7% while social health insurance accounted for 11 % and health
expenditure from other sources like private health insurance or community based
financing accounted for 11.9%. These data clearly show that the burden of
paying for health care services is from out-of-pocket payments. Considering that
26.9% of Filipino families are .below the poverty threshold in 2006, it is
unimaginable how Filipinos, who are everyday grappling with the hardships of
economic realities, will be able to afford a decent healthcare service for
themselves and their families.
Senator
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
SENATE
AN ACT
TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FILIPINO IS GRANTED· WITH BASIC
HEALTHCARE SERVICES, PROVIDING FOR THE PURPOSE A
MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,