Philippine Lawmaker Seeks Joint Committee to Revamp Health Care System

MANILA — A proposal for the formation of a bipartisan joint committee aimed at addressing critical issues within the Philippine health care system was put forward by a member of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, House Resolution 1436 seeks the establishment of a joint congressional committee to undertake an in-depth analysis of the current health care system’s performance, with particular attention to the access to and financing of health care services. Rep. Quimbo underscored that the health care system is plagued by significant challenges such as subpar health outcomes, inadequate access to quality care, and inefficient use of resources. This joint committee, comprising five senators and five representatives, with co-chairing by the heads of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and the House Committee on Health, is seen as the precursor to a comprehensive reform.

The proposal by Quimbo sheds light on concerning health statistics, including that 40 percent of registered deaths in the country occur without medical professional oversight, and an overwhelming majority of Filipinos resort to self-medication over professional medical services. The resolution also highlights issues with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), noting public dissatisfaction with reimbursement practices and financial management, with nearly half of PhilHealth-covered patients still shouldering their medical costs.

Rep. Quimbo expressed urgency in adopting a modernized strategy to confront the rapidly changing health care challenges, suggesting that improvements in data management and health information systems are vital to enhance health care delivery. The proposed joint committee would strive to create a health care system that is responsive and sustainable, ultimately reducing the dependency on out-of-pocket expenses for medical care among Filipinos.