Legislative Journey and Readiness in the Implementation of the Universal Health Care Act

It took nine (9) years for the Philippines to craft and pass a law seeking to address health barriers that have been preventing Filipinos from accessing the needed care towards the country's achievement of Universal Health Coverage through the Republic Act No. 11223 which incorporates the health promotion component, mandating the country's leading health agency to transform its service unit into a bureau to improve health literacy and mainstream preventive care. The study analyzed the UHC policy journey in the Philippines and the organizational readiness of selected agencies in its implementation.  Exploratory research was conducted through an in-depth interview, comparative review of secondary data/document and policy content analysis. It shows that the service unit was not ready to undergo transformation and the study recommends that the government should increase the human resources and complement the health facilities’ capacity in delivering health promotion agenda/activity; issue of an Administrative Order (AO) that will form the Philippine Health Promotion Board; and take into consideration the formulated framework that will allow the service unit to facilitate its transformation.