The Commission on Human Rights lauds and supports the Department of Health (DOH) for the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11223 or Universal Healthcare for All Filipinos, Reforms in the Health Care Systems Act.

On 20 February 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Universal Healthcare Act which
automatically enrolls all Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers into the newly-created National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and grants “immediate eligibility” to a full spectrum of healthcare services including “preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care.” The IRR of the said law would eventually be signed by DOH chief on 10 October 2019.

The right to health is a fundamental and universal right of all individuals. Integrated state action towards the comprehensive development of healthcare services is a welcome action towards the fulfillment of every individual’s right to health. Thus, recent government action in addressing problems in the healthcare sector through the creation and passage of a law and the signing of its IRR is a positive step towards much-needed healthcare reform and addressing the growing need for accessible healthcare in the Philippines.

While the Commission understands that immediate and full realization of healthcare reform cannot be immediately executed. Progressive movement towards the government’s target to cover 100 percent of a PhilHealth members’ hospitalization expense remains to be a state obligation, pursuant to its role of protection and promotion of every individual’s right to health. The Commission is thus hopeful that with the IRR now in place, more funding would be allotted to ensure higher coverage for individuals.