Iloilo 1st District Rep. 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. Garin mentioned the reality of hospitals having to wait three to four years for a drug to be approved and included in the PNDF, forcing the Secretary of Health to frequently issue certificates of exemption.
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.
“This provision is anti-industry and must be taken out. It’s a waste of time and government resources, making healthcare less accessible,” she asserted.
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