I have a deep personal stake in its creation and enactment, so I will legally challenge any individual, agency or organization that attempts to violate it wantonly.
What if there was a law that provides medical care and financial reprieve to every chronically ill citizen? What if the government institutes universal health coverage so hospitals will no longer require patients with diabetes, heart ailment or tuberculosis to pay out-of-pocket? From then on, the universal health care law in the Philippines became a personal crusade.
Articles 13 and 15 of the 1987 Constitution mandate the State to provide affordable health services and medical care, as well as promote health consciousness to every citizen, particularly the sick, underprivileged, elderly, disabled, women, children and paupers. The government cannot contravene these constitutional guarantees.
The Board decision directly violates Section 11 of the UHC Act. “No portion of the reserve fund or income thereof shall accrue to the general fund of the National Government or to any of its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations.” I managed to get a copy of the speech of DOTr Sec. Jimmy Bautista that was “delivered” during the annual business journalism seminar in Baguio City.