Filipino persons with disability (PWD) will be happy to hear about this good news.
According to news reports, lawmakers are currently working on amending RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability. Once the proposed amendment gets approved and implemented, PhilHealth will grant mandatory coverage for all persons with disability.
The proposed bill tells us that PhilHealh will provide all PWDs will automatic health insurance. To make this possible, the national government shall shoulder the PWD’s premium payments and the funds will be taken straight from sin tax collections in accordance with Republic Act No. 10351 otherwise known as “An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products.”
This bill proposal came after the UN Convention encouraged all member states to make sure that PWDs are able to enjoy their rights, freedom, and dignity. Under their definition, PWDs are individuals who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which may be a hindrance to them in fully and actively participating in the society.
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As of the moment, the bill is still waiting for approval before it can be enacted into law. If it gets approved, PWDs will be able to enjoy PhilHealth benefits to help them out for their health care expenses.
In the meanwhile, PhilHealth is continuing to offer various health packages for PWDs to make their lives more comfortable.
For example, they have the Z-Morph Prosthesis Package was introduced back in 2013. Worth P15,000, this package is granted to members or dependents in need of lower limb prosthesis, a device that replaces the missing part of a person’s lower extremities. To avail of this benefit, the member only has to present his or her PhilHealth card. Initially, however, this is only available in three Metro Manila hospitals namely UE-RMMC, Philippine General Hospital, and Philippine Orthopedic Center.
To learn more about PhilHealth’s special packages for PWDs, you may log online and check out their official website at www.philhealth.gov.ph.