Reinforcing UHC economic gains

When Republic Act No. 11223 was enacted in February 2019, it was hailed as a landmark achievement in Philippine public health policy. Also known as the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, the law carried the promise that every Filipino would have equitable access to quality and affordable health services without facing financial hardship. Its vision was ambitious yet it proved to be timely as the nation faced the crisis brought by the pandemic a year later.

- J. ALBERT GAMBOA

For countries with universal health coverage, the so-called equity effect has resulted in significant economic benefits — notably an increase in productivity, improved social wellbeing, and poverty reduction. A healthy workforce leads to higher levels of labor participation and economic output since individuals are protected from the devastating financial impact of unexpected health care expenses.

But more than six years after the Philippine UHC Act was signed into law, many Filipinos still struggle to obtain quality treatment or even basic care services. The weaknesses of this law goes beyond technical execution and reveal deep structural issues in our health system.

The gap between aspiration and implementation has become evident. Budget allocations remain uneven, favoring Metro Manila and its adjacent regions while leaving far-flung communities underserved. Tasked with managing health services at the grassroots level, local government units in many areas often lack the personnel, training, and equipment to deliver reliable care.