Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa (Right) announces the directive by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to create a Universal Health Care Coordinating Council that will oversee the shift from the previous fragmented healthcare system to a truly integrated healthcare system in the provincial and city levels, in a press briefing in Malacañang, Tuesday, October 24, 2023. (PCO photo)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has signed an executive order approving a proposal by the Department of Health (DOH) to create a Universal Health Care Coordinating Council that will oversee the nationwide implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

To shed light on this development, we will explore the importance of this UHCCC and its implications for every Filipino's access to quality healthcare.

What is the UHC Coordinating Council?

The Universal Health Care Coordinating Council (UHCCC) is a national governance body that will play a pivotal role in realizing the goals set forth by the UHC Act. It will standardize healthcare policies, estimate the total national cost of UHC, and ensure the effective implementation of Universal Health Care down to the local level. The council will also serve as a platform to address concerns that may arise during the UHC's implementation. UHC means access to quality and affordable healthcare for all Filipinos, regardless of their ability to pay.

"We will standardize the health policies. The council will serve as a national governance body that will oversee the implementation of Universal Health Care Act nationwide, the project and estimate total national cost for UHC and also implementation of the Universal Health Care at local government level. It will serve as the venue to discuss relevant concerns that might be raised during the implementation of UHC,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced in a press briefing in Malacañang on the same day.

Key Members of the Council

(Photo courtesy of DOH FB)

The Department of Health (DOH) will serve as the council’s lead agency with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) acting as the co-chair. 

The council will be composed of key government agencies that include the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and potentially the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Education (DepEd). 

The council will align priorities across sectors and locations. PhilHealth, DBM, DOF, among others, will synchronize financing, planning, regulation, and service delivery. This will ensure implementation consistency and the availability of care no matter where Filipinos reside. This diverse group of stakeholders reflects a comprehensive approach to ensuring UHC's success.

The President's Directive to DILG

President Marcos instructed the DILG to expedite the review of Executive Order No. 138, which addresses the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petitions. Some of these amendments will be incorporated into the Universal Health Care financing reforms, emphasizing the government's commitment to providing affordable healthcare for all.

The Vision of the UHC Act

To boost the country’s Universal Health Care (UHC) Law implementation and promote the KonSulTa Program (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) in the Philippines beginning with Metro Manila, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed between the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), represented by Dr. Bernadette Lico (L), PhilHealth Vice-President and concurrent National Capital Region (NCR) office chief, and the Philippine Information Agency, led by Director-General Joe Torres, Jr., and PIA-NCR Regional Head Emver Cortez on September 4, 2023 at the PIA Central Office in Quezon City. (Photo by Janna Pineda/PIA-NCR)

The Universal Health Care Act of 2019 envisions the progressive realization of accessible and affordable healthcare without financial risk. This shift is vital as the Philippines moves away from a highly fragmented healthcare system to a more integrated one. The UHC Act calls for collaboration between the DOH, DILG, PhilHealth, and local government units to create province and city-wide health systems, ultimately improving healthcare access for Filipinos.

Local Government Integration

Since the UHC Act's enactment in 2019, at least 71 local government units (LGUs) have committed to integrating their local health systems, forming Universal Health Care Integration Sites. These sites, consisting of 59 provinces and 12 highly-urbanized cities, represent a significant step toward creating integrated health systems for the majority of the population.

“These were called Universal Health Care Integration Sites and consistent of 59 provinces and 12 highly-urbanized cities, or about 66, or 93 percent of those that initiated preparations for integration and are gearing for full, functional implementation of the integration plans and access to an integrated health system by its constituents,” Secretary Herbosa noted.

Testing the Waters

To ensure a smooth transition, five UHC integration sites, located in Baguio, Bataan, Quezon, Guimaras, and South Cotabato, have been selected for pilot programs. These pilot programs aim to test and refine network healthcare systems to provide quality care to citizens.

Starting this year, Herbosa said these five UHC integration sites have been engaged to become primary care provider network sandbox, trials, or pilots.

“And these networks, we contracted them and they are being piloted as a test run for this network healthcare systems,” he said.

Herbosa further noted that there are additional healthcare provider networks with packages for additional payment mechanisms next year.

Future Steps

As the transition to UHC integration progresses, healthcare provider networks with payment mechanisms will be established. It is essential that members of the health boards, particularly governors or mayors who serve as chairs, are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage local health systems.

With these measures, the creation of the Universal Health Care Coordinating Council marks a significant milestone in the Philippines' journey towards providing universal healthcare. This council, composed of various government bodies and agencies, will help streamline healthcare policies, control costs, and ensure equitable healthcare access. 

Healthier and More Productive Citizens

At its core, UHC is about realizing every Filipino's right to health. With coordinated efforts via the UHC Council, all citizens can access medical services without financial hardship. This means healthier individuals, families, and communities across the Philippines.

Improved population health then drives economic gains. A study by the World Health Organization, released on October 5, 2023, showed that UHC leads to increased productivity, income, education, and more. So UHC implementation under the council's guidance can uplift Filipino well-being today and power future prosperity.

As the country shifts towards integrated health systems, every Filipino stands to benefit from the promise of affordable and accessible healthcare, eliminating the financial risks associated with medical treatment. The UHC Act's vision is taking shape, bringing quality healthcare one step closer to universality. (PIA-NCR)