The Philippines faces a challenge in its pursuit of universal health care, particularly in rural and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, where access to essential services is impeded by the shortage and maldistribution of healthcare professionals. The growing burden of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, warrants the implementation of innovative solutions. It is in this context that theWorld Health Organization has endorsed task … Continue reading Task shifting achieve universal health care
Thoughts
Access to resources still a problem for researchers
In the past years, we have observed growing investments in health research. The importance of this has been further emphasized during the pandemic. Even then, there remains limited availability of research infrastructure and facilities that stand as a barrier to the production of quality research outputs. Moreover, researchers frequently find themselves competing for a handful … Continue reading Access to resources still a problem for researchers
PH’s health care system not truly universal
DURING the past five years, we saw a dramatic increase in the number of Filipinos enrolled as PhilHealth members. The increase is a result of the heightened campaign of the past administration to enroll all Filipinos, especially the vulnerable population (those considered poor and the senior citizens), in the country’s national health insurance program. These … Continue reading PH’s health care system not truly universal
Why are policymakers keen on lowering MACR?
I cannot seem to understand why there is a “clamor” among policymakers to decrease the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) in the Philippines when the global trend is to increase it. I stand with the position of professional and civic groups opposing the proposed measure. First, we need to consider evidence that children below … Continue reading Why are policymakers keen on lowering MACR?
Supporting Senator Tulfo’s call to recognize BHWs
I support Sen. Raffy Tulfo’s call (“Time to recognize barangay health workers for their service—Tulfo,” Inquirer.net, 8/7/23) to acknowledge the vital role of barangay health workers (BHWs) in health care. BHWs perform essential primary care duties due to shortages in health professionals with specialized training. However, their voluntary status hinders full integration into the health-care … Continue reading Supporting Senator Tulfo’s call to recognize BHWs
Mandatory vaccination and ethics
The ethical principle of autonomy, one that is widely used for guiding the professional conduct of health care workers, is relevant in the issue of COVID-19 vaccination. While utilitarianism would suggest that mandating vaccination among health workers will bring about the greatest good for the largest number of people, this could affect respect for autonomy. … Continue reading Mandatory vaccination and ethics
Is the government paying more than it should?
This definition of "overpayment" in the context of FFS is outright wrong. We are accustomed to thinking that paying a peso for every peso is the only right thing to do in a country that is deluged by cases of graft and corruption. Our past has conditioned us to think that paying over or under … Continue reading Is the government paying more than it should?
Should the government “criminalize” efficiency gains?
Efficiency gains should NOT be criminalized because they encourage the health care system to provide the best care we all deserve. At one point in time, HCPs paid under the ACR system will achieve efficiency gains by decreasing the overall cost of health care. HCPs do this by meticulously deciding on what and what not … Continue reading Should the government “criminalize” efficiency gains?
Should the government pay for whatever is on the receipt?
Paying for amounts printed on receipts is tantamount to subscribing to FFS rather than ACR. As illustrated above, this is inefficient and could likely promote external fraud. ACR, however, is far from perfect but averaging should've been the best method to determine the average cost of care needed for a specific case or procedure. The … Continue reading Should the government pay for whatever is on the receipt?
Bill vs. ACR: Should the government pay for whichever is lower?
"Paying whichever is lower does not change the payment mechanism from ACR to FFS." This is true. Choosing to pay whichever is lower will not automatically change the payment mechanism from All Case Rates (Case-based payment) to Fee-for-Service. The "change" in payment mechanism does not depend on how we choose to pay, but on what … Continue reading Bill vs. ACR: Should the government pay for whichever is lower?
Pens & Needles 