Kinumpirma ni Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa na inatasan na niya ang Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) na isama na sa kanilang Konsulta benefit package ang ultrasound at mammogram.

Sa isang pahayag nitong Martes, sinabi ni Herbosa na binigyan niya ng direktiba ang benefits committee (Bencom) ng PhilHealth upang palawakin pa ang primary care benefits sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang nationwide PhilHealth Konsulta benefit package.

Ito’y alinsunod na rin sa kautusan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at hiling ni House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Matatandaang una rito nang isinatinig ni Romualdez ang panawagan ng mga miyembro ng PhilHealth para bayaran ang kalahati ng kanilang hospital bill kahit pa sila ay nasa private o pay ward.

Nanawagan din ang Speaker at iba pang mambabatas gaya nina House Deputy Majority Leader for Communications at Rep. Erwin Tulfo ng ACT-CIS Partylist na maisama na sa PhilHealth coverage ng mga primary care screening services gaya ng ultrasound at mammography.

Sinang-ayunan naman ito ni Herbosa at sinabing, “The DOH agrees with Speaker Romualdez. Following orders of President Marcos, I have directed the PhilHealth Benefits Committee, chaired by Asec. Domingo, to work on adding ultrasound and mammogram services in the current nationwide Konsulta benefit package, for immediate implementation nationwide.”

“This will ensure sustainable financing of preventive health services that can catch cancer and other conditions early, so that we can unload higher level hospitals within the health care provider network,” aniya pa.

Nabatid na ngayong Martes ng hapon, Marso 12, ay magpupulong ang PhilHealth Bencom hinggil sa isyu.

Susundan naman ito ng isang regular meeting ng mga PhilHealth Board of Directors bukas, Miyerkules, Marso 13.

Si Herbosa, na isa ring Trauma Surgeon at Emergency Medicine Specialist, ay siya ring chairman ng PhilHealth Board of Directors.

Siya ay kinakatawan sa Bencom ni OIC Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Albert Edralin Domingo.