Salceda strives for better healthcare for the elderly

LEGAZPI CITY: Rep. Joey Salceda of Albay said he is exploring a separate insurance fund under PhilHealth to bridge the financial gap and help guarantee health care for seniors.

Salceda, who has drafted laws to expand the benefits of seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs), said the problem of access to better healthcare for the elderly is structural and driven by two factors such as the increasing need for specialized services and reduced personal health care. income due to retirement.

The lawmaker said that about 1.6 trillion euros or 18 percent of the estimated 9.1 trillion euros needed to ensure a more decent life for all seniors is falling short.

“We must find ways to address this financial gap in elder care, but it must be addressed alongside other elder care issues,” said the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

“That is why, together with Seniors Party Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes and Agusan del Sur 1st District Rep. Alfel Bascug, who represent PWDs, I have been working on issues that concern all aspects of seniors’ needs, not just health .”

Salceda said that within the 18 percent gap are chronic conditions that require primary and supportive health care, which is where PhilHealth mainly devotes its resources.

“The unfilled gap is an acute or catastrophic health care problem. Without insurance, such medical costs can be disastrous for ordinary families with seniors. The very limited cases under Philhealth’s existing packages are simply not enough. Medical care costs are becoming financially too high. catastrophic if it endangers the family’s ability to maintain usual living standards,” he added.

“I am exploring a separate insurance fund under PhilHealth to fill this gap. The risk profile is different, so the fund should also be different. The fiscal resources for health care have not yet been exhausted.”

Salceda said the Health Ministry’s absorptive capacity to fully spend the money is generally inadequate.

“Usually, there is about ₱40 billion in excess funds that could be used to support a more aggressive health insurance system for seniors – not counting PhilHealth’s excess reserve funds. We are on our way there,” he said.

The lawmaker also noted that many seniors and other poor Filipinos often skip their medications because they cannot afford to buy them.