The newly announced 16-month reform roadmap of PhilHealth (or the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.) is a welcome sign of urgency. Developed with the Department of Health (DOH) and more than 100 representatives of development institutions, the academe, civil society and other sectors, the plan seeks to improve access, equity and efficiency while advancing PhilHealth’s RISE30...
Tag: Department of Health
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The wrong target: Why doctors’ fees are not the main driver of hospitalization costs in the Philippines
Rising hospitalization costs in the Philippines are a legitimate and urgent concern for policymakers, patients, and providers alike. The Department of Health is right to focus on the growing financial burden faced by Filipino families. However, the recent emphasis on physicians’ professional fees risks not only misdiagnosing the problem but also diverting attention from the...
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‘Passionate’ tweeter Ted Herbosa is now health chief
The reputation of newly appointed Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa has preceded him, and certain sectors do not find it encouraging. In December 2017, while speaking at a leadership forum in New Delhi, former US president Barack Obama was asked about the perils of using Twitter where he had more than 97 million followers...