Transcript ambush interview of Senator JV Ejercito

Q: Pasado na sa bicam?

The disagreeing portions of UHC are already terminated, pasado na in other words. It's a historic date, sana ma-ratify ito tomorrow tapos ma-transmit na agad sa Presidente, pag na review and signed by the Presidente hopefully bago mag-Pasko talaga sana mapirmahan ng Presidente.

Q: Salient features?

SJVE: Well of course under the UHC, 100% coverage na, yun yung medyo nagtagal kami, kasi we will have to subsidize 65% of the population. Second, we want to increase the benefits by fully funds together, DOH, PhilHealth, Pagcor... At least all the hard work, and sleepless nights at least all paid off. Both panels are actually really happy because this is really a landmark bill.

Q: inaudible

SJVE: For the first two years, dun sa present appropriations ay kaya na. P257B for the first year and probably another P280B the following year, kaya yan yung present appropriations from DOH, PhilHeallth, PCSO, Pagcor funds. But in the third and fourth year onwards, we feel that we need supplemental (fund), we need additional funds because we anticipated, siyempre pag nalaman ng lahat, mas dadami ang claimants mas dadami na rin ang beneficieries. So we project the on the third and fourth year, magba-baloon na ang claimants and beneficiaries, so we will need additional funding. So there is time, but we already started the hearing on the increase of tobacco taxes that na sa tingin ko na talagang ito ay makakatulong, P60 or P90 (per pack) we start to raise about P45B to P50B...

Q: ang coverage lahat ng antas?

SJVE: Under the UHC, well lahat na basta Pilipino ka, automatic, ano ka na, you are already covered by the National Health Insurance. Kaya lang dalawa kasi ang uri ng miyembro: yung contributory which is the regular government and private employees that complies about 35% pero yung 65% yung ang sina subsidize natin. Yan yung senior citizens, PWDs, indigents.

Q: Yung jobless?

SJVE: basta Pilipino kasi automatic covered ka na.

Q: Subsidy?

SJVE: Magiging subsidy, it depends. Siguro kung ano yung recent PhilHealth rates and ceiling pareho rin. Actually ang 35% yan yung contributory, pero ang sinasubdize natin yung 65%. Kaya yung Pagcor, PCSO (funds) ...so pagsasamahan na natin into one general funds, so we have a more strategic distribution of assistance..

Q: Di tataas ang contribution?

SJVE: Hindi naman. Ang kondisyon, magtataas lang ng contributions..Pwede lang magtaas, magsingil ng contribution kung tataas din ng benefits. Walang additional benefits, wala ring additional contributions. Pero siguro tatanungin kasi may contributory, ito yung isa sa mga naging matinding debate, whether to give incentives to those who are regular contributory, kasi ang gusto ng House solidary, dapat pare-pareho...basta member pare-pareho ang privileges. Pero ang concern ng Senate, partikular si Sen. Recto, sabi niya 'sigurado ako babagsak ang contributions, dahil sasabihin ng mga regular contributory, pareho din ang benefits bakit ako maghuhulog?'. So, it has been agreed upon there will be a special package or incentives for the regular contributories for them to continue.

Q: Mas marami silang benefits (regular contributories)?

SJVE: Basta special lang hindi naman nalalayo. Just the thought na special sila, kumbaga mareward man lang yung pagiging loyal contributors ng PhilHealth, so at least magkaroon lang sila ng incentives as compared to the non-contributory.

Q: Ano special package?

SJVE: Depende na po. Meron kaming Health Technical Assessment Council.

Q: Kelan iimplement kung maaprubahan ni President?

SJVE: Well next year, hopefully IRR magawa kaagad. But ang target naman nito, hopefully the benefits can be felt right away pero yung pinaka whole universal health care system that will take about 5 to 10 years. I mean yung complete implementation by establishing service delivery network, from barangay health statio, rural health units. Ang palalakasin natin dito ay primary care components as well. So kasama na ang check ups, kasama na ang laboratory tests because we want to step in the primary care, ng sa ganoon hindi mag graduate sa curative. We want to change that mentality, marami sa ating kababayan 5 out of 10, dahil sa malalang kalagayan hindi man lang nakakakita ng doctor dahil sa takot nila sa gastusin. So we want to change that mentality kaya kasama na sa package yung check us, yung laboratory...