Iloilo’s 1st District Representative Cong. Janette Garin highlighted the need for a review of the Universal Healthcare Law and the powers of the Health Technology Assessment Council to enhance healthcare access and efficiency.
Garin criticized the HTAC for its lack of urgency and the cumbersome processes that delay the approval and procurement of essential medicines and vaccines. “There is a rigorous ethical review for inclusion in the Philippine National Drug Formulary , but this often leads to delays that are not aligned with the procurement timelines of the Department of Health ,” she and other healthcare providers noted.
“Obtaining certification from social workers or barangay captains has politicized the process, contributing to reduced utilization,” Garin explained. The implementation of the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients program, which was formerly the Medical Assistance Program , has also encountered obstacles. The new guidelines for classifying indigent and financially incapacitated patients, although intended to streamline access, have created additional layers of bureaucracy.
She advocated for a more inclusive definition of eligible patients in the 2024 budget, aiming to address these barriers. The guidelines, published on April 16, 2024, now include the term “financially incapacitated patients” to better serve those in need.
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