Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 2062, also known as “An Act Expanding PhilHealth Coverage to Include Benefit Package to All Mental Health Disorders.”
“We should not set aside mental health disorders. It is affecting a lot of Filipinos,” Villar said.
Villar cited the Department of Health (DOH) which said there were around 3.6 million Filipinos facing mental health issues.
A recently published study by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative Resilient Communities Program reported that costly treatments and services are the top barriers to accessing mental health care in the Philippines.
In line with this, the bill seeks to expand PhilHealth coverage, which will include a benefit package for all mental health disorders.
The benefit package shall cover emergency services, psychiatric and neurological services, and mental health gap action program.
“We are pushing for a benefit package so that our people will not think of their medical expenses,” he said.
Non-member parents of minors suffering from mental health disorders may also avail of the said package from PhilHealth.
“Mental health is equally important as physical health. It is a fundamental aspect of our overall well-being. We filed this bill to normalize seeking help for mental health disorders and to break the stigma that comes with it.”
“By recognizing and prioritizing mental health, we can create ahealthier, happier, and more inclusive society for Filipinos, especially the youth” Villar said.