MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos filed a bill creating a voucher system to help low- and middle-income Filipinos access mental health services.
"Mental health care should not be a privilege available only to those who can pay for it out of pocket," Marcos said.
House Bill 9327, filed last May 19, aimed to expand mental health coverage under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, a statement said. Under the proposed system, pre-approved subsidies for mental health services and medicines would be provided to registered PhilHealth members and their dependents diagnosed with a mental health condition.
The approved voucher would show the benefit package, authorized services, and the validity period which would be six months to 12 months. It could be renewed yearly, subject to reevaluation "and submission of an updated assessment certificate", the statement said.
The basic package would cover six to 10 psychiatric consultations yearly, six or more therapy sessions "and a monthly medication subsidy", it said, adding that the standard package would cover 10 to 15 psychiatric consultations, 12 or more therapy sessions, "expanded medication coverage and access to psychological testing and diagnostics."
"The comprehensive package would provide psychiatric consultations, the number of which shall be determined by PhilHealth, at least twenty (20) therapy sessions, full or substantially expanded medication support, rehabilitation and other necessary mental health services", it said.
