THE Bicameral Conference Committee will meet next month to harmonize bills proposing to give persons with disabilities (PWDs) mandatory PhilHealth coverage.
“It’s now scheduled for Bicameral Conference committee when we resume session in November,” Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr., who is among the members of the Committee, told BusinessWorld in a phone message on Thursday.
He said that he expects ratification of the reconciled version of the measure and its enactment by year-end.
“November, ratified by both houses of Congress, then I think within one month this will be signed into law by the President,” he said in a phone interview.
“This will be a perfect gift for the sectors with PWDs or differently-abled persons, not only for them but also their families,” he added.
Congress is currently on break and is scheduled to resume on Nov. 12.
Both House Bill 8014 and Senate Bill 1391 proposed to automatically provide PhilHealth assistance to PWDs, who are currently not afforded health insurance.
The bills also noted that funding will be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth earmarked from the proceeds of Republic Act 10351, “An Act Restructuring the Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products.”
The House version was approved on third reading on Oct. 8, while its Senate counterpart was approved on July 30.
Prior to its adjournment, the chamber assigned Mr. Garbin, Rep. Sandra Y. Eriguel, M.D. of the 2nd district of La Union and Rep. Mikaela S. Violago of the 2nd district of Nueva Ecija as the House contingent to the Bicameral panel. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
