AUG 10, 2016

NR # 4288B

Lawmaker seeks Philhealth coverage for drug treatment/rehabilitation

To achieve a more meaningful social transformation, a Bulacan lawmaker has
presented a practical way to make drug rehabilitation affordable to drug victims.
We have to have a more practical program to support the war against drug
addiction, Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, author of HB 1642, stressed.
HB 1642 is entitled An Act providing for affordable drug rehabilitation treatment
for Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) beneficiaries, further amending
Republic Act No. 7875 as amended.
In the wake of the current drive against illegal drive which continue to expose the
real extent of this social and health menace in the country, especially among the poor and
helpless, the State must encourage more drug dependents to undergo treatment and
rehabilitation at low-cost drug rehabilitation centers.
Villarica not a 2009 survey which showed that only 2,000 of the 1.7 million drug
dependents underwent treatment and rehabilitation because the expensive drug
rehabilitation establishments discourage families of drug dependents from being treated.
My proposal seeks to address this concern by mandating the PHIC to cover its
beneficiaries who are drug dependents and who submit to treatment and rehabilitation to
an accredited health care provider at affordable cost, Villarica explained.
Her initiative is in accordance with R.A. 7875 or An Act Instituting a National
Health Insurance Program for all Filipinos and Establishing the Philippine Health
Insurance corporation (PhilHealth) as amended by R.A. 9241 which included drug abuse
and dependency treatment as among those personal services covered.
HB 1642 clarifies the definition of Drug Dependent as: xxxxxx
DRUG DEPENDENT - AS DEFINED UNDER R.A. No. 9165
9COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002, A PERSON EXHIBITING A
CLUSTER OF PHYSIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE PHENOMENA OR
VARIABLE INTENSITY, IN WHICH THE USE OF PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG TAKES ON
A HIGH PRIORITY THEREBY INVOLVING, AMONG OTHERS, A STRONG DESIRE OR
A SENSE OF COMPULSION TO TAKE THE SUBSTANCE AND THE DIFFICULTIES IN
CONTROLLING SUBSTANCE-TAKING BEHAVIOR IN TERMS OF ITS ONSET,
TERMINATION, OR LEVELS OF USE.
Likewise, the bill proposes to insert in Section 10 (Benefit Package) of the present
statute the following provisions: xxxx

E) REHABILITATION TREATMENT OF DRUG DEPENDENTS

(1) ROOM AND BOARD
(2) SERVICES OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
(3) PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND BIOLOGICALS, SUBJECT TO THE
LIMITATIONS STATED IN SECTION 17 OF THIS ACT.
THESE SERVICES AND PACKAGES SHALL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY IN
KEEPING
WITH
ITS
PROTECTION
OBJECTIVES
AND
FINANCIAL
SUSTAINABILITY.
The PHIC shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations in
consultation with the Dangerous Drugs Board and relevant sectors for the effective
implementation of the proposed law.
HB 1642 was referred by Plenary to the Committee on Dangerous Drugs for its
appropriate action. (30) dpt