The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 4, 1969

On August 4, 1969, Republic Act 6111 or the Philippine Medical Care Act of 1969 was signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on August 4, 1969. It was implemented in August 1971. 

Since the early '60s the MARIA Project was introduced by the Philippine Medical Association that aims to prioritize medical assistance in communities. 

It was the medicare program, from which a medical care plan for the entire Philippines was created. 

The Philippine Medical Care Commission (PMCC) was tasked to oversee the implementation of the Philippine Medical Care program. 

After many years, there was a need for a health insurance that is more comprehensive in terms of covered population and benefits thus House Bill 14225 and Senate Bill 01738 were passed which became The National Health Insurance Act of 1995 or Republic Act 7875. President Fidel V. Ramos signed it into law on February 14, 1995. 

By virtue of RA 7875, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) was established with the purpose of providing Filipinos with access to quality health care services through equitable, affordable and sustainable health care financing. 

PhilHealth took over the task of administering the Medicare program for government and private sector employees from the Government Service Insurance System in October 1997, from the Social Security System in April 1998, and from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in March 2005.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: brittanica.com