Hontiveros on private hospitals' threat not to renew PhilHealth accreditation
A SAD AND ILL-TIMED ATTACK ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday lambasted the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPI) after its president threatened not to renew its members' accreditation to PhilHealth, saying that many of them had yet to receive their reimbursements from the state health insurer.

Hontiveros said that she considers the threat an attack on the people's right to universal health care, especially with the recent signing of the UHC Law's implementing rules and regulations. She said that if it pushes through, it will deprive millions of PhilHealth members access to adequate hospital care and treatment.

"Ang mga hospital ay dapat nanggagamot, hindi nananakot at nagdadamot," Hontiveros said.

"Amid epidemics left and right, the threat by several private hospitals not to renew their PhilHealth accreditation and deny service to members is not only shocking and callous, but it also borders on the criminal. It is a direct attack on and violation of the people's right to universal health care," Hontiveros added.

"Revoke licenses"

Hontiveros said that she hopes that the PHAPI will reconsider its plan. But if it makes good of its threat, she said that the government might as well revoke its members' licenses to operate.

"I hear the concern of some private hospitals. I understand the need to balance the right to do business and provide health care services. But threatening the public with health care denial is wrong and again, cannot be tolerated. I know that the majority of private hospitals don't think this way. But to those who think they can take hostage the people's right to universal health care, you are in the wrong business," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros said that what is needed is to streamline the process and turn-around-time (TAT) of hospital reimbursements to PhilHealth, improve management systems and strengthen partnerships and coordination with health care providers without sacrificing the need to keep the process transparent, accountable and fraud-free.

"Ang kailangan natin ay solusyon hindi dagdag kunsumisyon. Kaya itigil na ang mga bantang ito. Walang panalo dito. Lahat talo, lalo na ang kalusugan ng ordinaryong tao," Hontiveros concluded.