Region IV A/B and NCR Regional Conference. The fine Sunday weather last October 23, 2011 saw some 200 representatives of member hospitals of the PHILIPPINE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION troop to the “country’s 2nd Summer Capital”. It had been the last of the 2011 Series of Regional Conferences of the organization.
PHIC President Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon. The PHA had the distinct pleasure of welcoming the newly - installed Philippine Health Insurance Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon, MSc, as its guest speaker. His appointment was announced by DOH Secretary Ona during the flag ceremony held at the PHIC grounds in Pasig City last October 17, 2011, barely 5 days before the PHA Regional Conference. Dr. Banzon used to be Philhealth’s Vice President for Health Finance Policy Service but left the agency to join the World Bank.
Highlights of Dr. Banzon’s speech .
Dr. Eduardo Banzon expressed his desire to push for the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage for all Filipinos’ program of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.
He stated further that the protection extended by the government should be substantial enough and that there is a need to deepen the health coverage of Filipinos.
His speech centered on several premises for Universal Health Coverage:
1. More money for health.
a. To be able to extend wider benefits, funds should be made available
b. Consider increase in premiums to be able to sustain UHC
2. Use of the funds more on the demand side of the economic chart towards basic health insurance
a. Spending more money for more hospitals and doctors is no longer the typical and model response
b. Filipinos’ access to healthcare should be supported by health insurance; healthcare becomes free only because people have health insurance; insurance imbues people with right to health.
3. Primary Care Case Gate Keeping Approach.
a. It is not sustainable to have a free market (charge patients any amount hospitals and doctors want)
b. Case payment is part of the approach
c. Push for all rates to be case payment
d. Ensure that amount is fair
e. Hospitals should coordinate and assert itself to doctors who practice in their establishments
f. Employ incentives such as or maybe : high rates for Centers of Excellence, availability of specialized diagnostic equipment, highly skilled/trained doctors, hospitals located in remote and areas of conflict or great difficulties, etc.
4. Case payment.
a. It will come.
b. It cannot just be imposed however on the private sector; a contracted negotiation is necessary
c. Case payment can be viewed as a powerful marketing tool for hospitals
d. Rates should be studied well and discussed thoroughly; consultations.
Other matters covered by Dr. Banzon were:
1. Change is necessary and that it shall be driven by technology.
2. Electronic filings, on line inquiries, computers and connectivity at all hospitals as part of accreditation
3. Educate PHIC members how to navigate their health insurance
4. Work closely with HMOs as supplementary/complementary partners
5. Come up with a good dbase where list of members shall be complete down to their dependents
6. Hospitals and Doctrors as necessary part of insurance
7. Expect a differentiated approach where the “good guys” shall have an easy time while the “bad guys” will have to watch out.
He ended his speech with a call for dialogue between professionals and urged everyone to TRUST and WORK with PHIC.
His speech was received with a resounding applause from the audience.
Recap of the PHA Conferences for 2011.
To recap, conferences for the different regions starting in February, 2011 were held in major cities:
Regn 3 Angeles City-Feb. 27,
Regn 7 & 8 Cebu City-March 27,
Regns 1, 2 & CAR Baguio City-April 17,
Regn 11, 12 & ARMM Davao City-May 29,
Reg 5 Legazpi City-June 26,
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| View of the majrestic Mayon Volcano from the airport tarmac |
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| PHA BODs Dr. Maano , Dr. Salud and Dr. Ante taking a breather the night before the Regional Conference in Legazpi |
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| Mayor of Legazpi addressing the general membership |
Regn 6 & Panay Islands Group Iloilo City-Aug 21,
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| Honorable Arthur Defensor , Governor of Iloilo addressing the general membership |
Regns 9, 10 & CARAGA Cagayan de Oro City-Sept. 25,
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| Deputy Speaker Hon. Erin Tanada addressing the general membership |
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| PHA President Ruben Flores giving his report to the general membership |
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| Dondie Aranda of Isuzu Phil. Corp. who donated a Samsung Mini Tablet as raffle prize |
and Regns IV-A/B & NCR Tagaytay City-Oct 23.
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| Conferences' mainstay partner UNILAB's Ed Kanapi, Dr. Ruben Flores, Dr. Janet Tan |
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| Winner of the Isuzu sponsored raffle prize, a 32" Sony Bravia LCD TV, Jayanne May Esperacion of the Vian Family Hospital |
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| Isuzu's Prototype Ambulance |
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| posing besides the Congratulatory greetings for Dr. Ruben Flores as Asian Hospital Federation's Presidentelect for 2012-2913 President for 2014-2015 |
The Annual National Convention and Exhibits shall be the culminating activity and will be held on November 23-25, 2011 at the Manila Hotel.
The foregoing reflects part of the busy schedules of the National Board as well as the respective PHA Provincial Councils. This is not to mention the multitude activities (symposium, seminars, trainings, speaking engagements, resource speaker, moderator, reactor, etc.) that the various Directors and designated members have attended carrying the name of the PHA.
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| PHA Directors and Officers Front Row L to R: Dr. Janet del Mundo-Tan-Chief of Hospital, Ospital Ng Maynila Medical Center and PHA Secretary, Dr. Ruben Flores-Medical Center Chief II, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital and PHA President, Dr. Concepcion Lim-Medical Director, Leona Lim Memorial Hospital and PHA VP-Vizayas, Dr. Winifreda Cagulada-Chief of Hospital, Teodoro Galagar District Hospital Back: Dr. Edgardo Salud-Hospital Director, Quezon City General Hospital and PHA Treasurer, Dr. Conrado Brana, Jr.-Chief of Hospital, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, Dr./Atty. Bu Castro-Official Representative of Bernardino General Hospital and PHA PRO, Dr. Hermogenes Jarin-Medical Director, Fairview General Hospital and PHA VP-Luzon, Dr. Jesus Jardin-Medical Director, Capitol University Medical City and PHA VP-Mindanao, Dr. Rodolfo Ante, Medical Director, Sta. Teresita Hospital, Dr. Romeo Maano-Medical Director, United Candelaria Doctors Hospital |
Support of the various PHA Councils, DOH, PHIC as well as its mainstay partner for Regional Conferences, UNILAB, has been invaluable. Participations of Healthsolutions Inc., BPI Leasing, Comlogik , Isuzu Philippines Corporation and their attractive raffle prizes during some of the Regional Conferences have provided spices and added flavors to the events.
Election of the new Board beckons come November 24, 2011. PHA members, we know you will exercise your right to vote and will choose wisely.
