Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday welcomed the decision of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to significantly increase the benefit package for breast cancer patients, while reiterating his call to further expand other benefit packages and services to include early detection of cancer.
Romualdez praised PhilHealth’s announcement of a 1,400-percent increase in the “Z benefit package” for breast cancer patients, elevating it from P100,000 to a substantial P1.4 million. He described it as a crucial step towards enhancing healthcare services in the country.
“We applaud PhilHealth for its substantial increase in support for breast cancer patients, marking a significant stride towards advancing healthcare,” Romualdez said.
“Moreover, expanding other benefits and services, particularly in early cancer detection for timely interventions, is essential to ultimately enhance accessibility to cancer care and for addressing other diseases,” he added.
Romualdez acknowledged the importance of addressing the needs of breast cancer patients and commended PhilHealth for taking proactive measures to enhance the benefit package.
“The decision of PhilHealth to increase the benefit package for breast cancer patients is a commendable move as it will undoubtedly alleviate the financial burden faced by patients and their families during their battle against this life-threatening disease,” the Speaker said.
He also emphasized the significance of early detection in improving cancer survival rates and urged PhilHealth to further expand its benefit package and services to include comprehensive cancer screening programs.
“While increasing the benefit package for breast cancer patients is a commendable step, we must not overlook the importance of early detection in saving lives. I encourage PhilHealth to consider expanding the package to cover the cost of cancer screenings, enabling early detection and intervention,” he said.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the Philippines, with a rising incidence rate in recent years. Romualdez highlighted the need for comprehensive support, including financial assistance and quality healthcare services, to effectively combat the disease.
“Breast cancer affects not only the physical health but also the emotional and financial well-being of patients. We must ensure that our healthcare system is equipped to provide comprehensive support to those affected,” he pointed out.
In addition to boosting the benefit package for breast cancer patients, PhilHealth also revealed a 30-percent increase in all benefit packages for its members.
PhilHealth’s decision aligns with Romualdez’s vision of accessible and affordable healthcare for all. His advocacy for expanded benefit packages and services underscores his dedication to improving healthcare services in the country.