LEGAZPI CITY: Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co has urged revisiting the government’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program (MAIPP) for possible amendments, as he called for prompt payment of doctors’ fees to improve the provision of medical aid to indigent patients.
‘Kung mas mabilis nating mababayaran ang mga doktor, mas marami ang magiging handang tumulong sa ilalim ng MAIPP. Hindi dapat nagiging sagabal ang payment delays sa pagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan (If the doctors are paid immediately, more medical professionals would be willing to help under MAIPP. Payment delays should not hinder in serving our countrymen),’ Co said in a media release on Wednesday.
The proposal came after concerns were raised about some medical doctors’ reluctance in attending to indigent patients due to delayed payments.
Co met with officials of the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday to address the concerns and emphasize the need to ensure that doctors receive prompt payment for their services.
To exped
ite the payment process, he suggested revising the MAIPP guidelines and using corporate credit cards for quick disbursement of funds to doctors.
He also proposed a long-term solution of converting unpaid professional fees into tax credits, an idea that would require legislative action.
Seeking to fix the MAIPP system, Co also suggested doing a survey among physicians to identify those willing to accept MAIPP payments, allowing patients to choose healthcare providers who agree with the payment terms of the program.
DOH officials assured Co that they would work on creating clearer MAIPP guidelines, especially regarding the payment of professional fees, and to take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Source: Philippines News Agency
