IN time for the celebration of Valentine’s Day or the “Araw ng mga Puso”, Lee pushed for a measure to ease the financial burden of Filipinos with heart illnesses by removing the value-added tax (VAT) on medicines and drugs related to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or the group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
“Hindi biro ang pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso. Bukod sa karamdaman, talagang sakit din ito sa bulsa. Nakaka-highblood pa lalo ang malaking gastos sa kinakailangang operasyon, at ang mahal na gamot na pang-maintenance. Yung marami nga po sa may sakit, hindi na araw-araw ang pag-inom ng gamot, o hindi na talaga umiinom dahil walang pambili,” Lee said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) categorized cardiovascular diseases as the number one cause of death globally. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the leading cause of death in the country from January to July 2023 was ischemic heart disease, with over 65,000 cases or 19% of the total deaths in the country.
Likewise, in a PSA report from January to December 2022, deaths from hypertensive illnesses accounted for 5.7% of the total fatalities in the country.
Under House Bill No. 9924 or “VAT Exemption for Medicines Related to Cardiovascular Diseases Act”, the Department of Health (DOH) shall issue a list of all drugs and medicines directly related to the treatment and regular medication of cardiovascular diseases that will be VAT-free.
“Healthy heart, happy life. Gawin nating araw-araw ang Valentine’s Day para sa mga may sakit sa puso; bawasan natin ang kanilang mga alalahanin sa pamamagitan ng mas mura at abot-kayang mga gamot. Sa mas magaan na pasanin ng mga may sakit at ng kanilang pamilya, Winner Tayo Lahat,” he added.
Lee has earlier sought a 30% increase in all PhilHealth benefits and coverage, which was approved by the state health insurer’s Board of Directors last month, and set to be implemented today, February 14.
Aside from the approved 30% increase on the agency’s benefits for its members, the solon is also pushing for full coverage on cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other major hospital operations, as well as the effective implementation of the No Balance Billing.
The Bicolano lawmaker pointed out that treatments for the said illnesses cost millions, while PhilHealth coverage only offers P150,000 to P600,000 for the entire course of treatment.
“Tinututukan po natin ito, hindi tayo hihinto sa 30% increase sa PhilHealth benefits na ipinaglaban natin. Because there are so many cases, na kahit doble ang itaas ng coverage, kakapusin pa rin sa pambayad ang mga miyembro,” Lee stated. “Gusto nating dumating ang panahon na wala nang kailangang bayaran, ni isang kusing, ang mga may malubhang karamdaman at ang mga talagang nangangailangan,” the lawmaker added.
