Health officials should stop hiding behind the law to impose its unjustifiable increased contribution rates.
PhilHealth is allegedly forced to require higher payments from members as this is a provision of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
Totoo ba ito? NO.
1/
True, increased PhilHealth rates are part of the UHC Law. In fact, it is one of the controversial provisions that oppositors wanted to remove or change.
But even if the increased rates are part of the law, is govt really forced to implement it? NO.
Are there precedents? YES.
2/
The Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (1992) states the benefits that govt healthcare workers are entitled to.
But to date, these benefits are not all given to HCWs in govt hospitals. Govt refuses to provide funds for these benefits.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the reason why the Philippine healthcare system is so bad: its two leading agencies - the Department of Health and PhilHealth - are SH*T.
A thread on how these two agencies cannot even do their jobs properly and continue to fail Filipinos. 1/
DOH's incompetence is obvious in its (mis)handling of COVID-19 data.
Failing to provide timely reliable data, it resorted to arbitrary terminologies like "fresh" cases, window dressing its website, and now, "mass recovery" every Sunday.
The 50k+ validation backlog is proof. 2/
DOH (mal)treatment of health workers is notorious.
COVID-related benefits are difficult to get.
Initially, rather than hire additional HWs, the DOH called for "volunteers" with P500 honorarium.
IATF's Galvez and Dizon both declare that PH is "flattening the curve".
"Govt efforts are effective. People should follow quarantine rules and minimum health standards."
Meron pa bang govt official na hindi nagsabi niyan simula Abril?!
Is this what they should be saying?! 1/
They should tell us WHERE WE ARE in terms of govt's overall plans and strategy.
Why is govt still determining the status of community quarantine every two weeks?!
What targets have been met and what have been missed?
Hindi pwedeng puro declaration, tapos babawiin later. 2/
Dizon should tell us why TESTING CAPACITY has been announced to be 60k per day since May! Yet to date, ACTUAL TESTING is less than half of that. Anyare?
Why is testing by private institutions not complementing govt effort in a coordinated way?
Historically, PhilHealth has always been poorly regulated and monitored. Its leaders allowed it to be used for furthering partisan political interests.
No wonder corruption became entrenched. If this is to be seriously rooted out, we have to look further back.
A thread.
In 2004, Arroyo used PhilHealth in the presidential elections.
PhilHealth IDs were produced and mass distributed to the poor. The ID had TWO pictures of Arroyo (front and back).
Membership spiked that year but only for a year.
Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, wala na ulit. 2/
In the same election year, Duque, then PhilHealth president, transferred 530 million pesos of OWWA funds to PhilHealth.
This amount represented the contribution of OFWs for their health and welfare. Hindi sila kinonsulta.
Gumanda ba ang mga benepisyo nila simula noon? Hindi. 3/
To relax my mind and avoid an impending Irene+Seulgi addiction, I followed @Probotype's advice.
I also dedicate this to @jedmarcueto, my adopted kid and Kpop guardian.
For a few hours last night, my daughter once again schooled me on Kpop music.
I will NEVER be the same again.
(G)I-DLE
Anak: Comeback vid nila eto.
Me: Bakit, nawala ba sila nang matagal?
Anak: Hindi.
Me: Nagbreak-up ba sila tapos nagkabalikan?
Anak: Di din.
Me: Eh bakit sila my comeback?!
Anak: Eto, Tay, baka magustuhan mo.
Me: Bakit?
Anak: Medyo rock at medyo fantasy.
Me: Ha?!
(Also me: Parang gusto kong magsuot ng trenchcoat at mag-hunting ng undead using my katana.)