Extension of health coverage for displaced workers urged

CEBU, Philippines – Progressive labor party Partido ng Manggagawa is demanding from the government the extension of the health coverage to at least six months for retrenched workers.

PM-Cebu chairperson Greg Janginon said that the three-month extension recently announced by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation may not be enough to secure the health needs of a worker’s family during interim dislocation as a consequence of job loss.

Janginon said that “of the major consequences of job loss to a worker is the inability to access health care that he or she previously enjoyed during employment.”

Under the rules, PhilHealth coverage is good only while a member is employed. He explained that a time lag before a worker finds another job is long, an average of 12 months, according to a study, especially if a displaced worker surpasses the age limit required for a new job.

“A longer extension of health coverage is necessary to protect the worker and his family during this transition. Loss of income as a consequence of job loss falls heavy on workers and the termination of their PhilHealth coverage undermines their health security, especially on women and children,” Janginon said in a statement sent to The FREEMAN.

He added that with the loss of work-related health insurance, laid-off workers cannot afford the high cost of drugs and health care.

Janginon further said that it is also during hard times that health problems arise as displaced workers grapple with stress and other problems that affect their well-being.

The labor group said that the state has an obligation to secure the health needs of its people with or without work, adding that universal health care is a right and should not be treated as collateral damage resulting from job loss. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)