MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday unveiled its Health Executive Agenda for Legislation (HEAL) in a hearing at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

DOH unveils 7 priority measures at House hearing

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa told the Committee on Health that the department’s seven priority measures were “evidence-based, strategically focused, and aligned with national development and health sector goals,” and that it attributed its formulation to collaboration with the committee. “This collaboration highlights how the DOH and Congress can meaningfully work together to shape responsive and forward-looking health legislation.”

The seven priority measures are: 1. Amendments to the Universal Healthcare law (UHC) 2. Expansion of the Health tax 3. Establishment of the National Center for Geriatric Health 4. Measures to reduce Salt Consumption 5. Strengthening the National Center for Mental Health charter 6. Enactment of Magna Carta for Public Health Workers 7. Enactment of the Magna Carta for barangay health workers, This news data comes from:http://scpx.gyglfs.com

Following the DOH, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) also outlined the reforms and benefit expansions under PhilHealth’s RISE mission.

PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado said, “Our focus is on what our members usually complain about... We’re streamlining our processes.”