Health advocate hits gap between promises, delivery
HEALTH reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon voiced strong criticism of the current state of health care reform in the Philippines during The Manila Times' Innovative Keys to Universal Health forum on Thursday. Addressing the gathering, Leachon emphasized the gap between government promises and actual implementation, particularly when it comes to universal health care and the execution of health-related policies. "The problem isn't the law itself; it's the execution," Leachon said, highlighting the disparity between the Philippines' health care laws and their real-world impact. He pointed out the diversion of funds, particularly the P90 billion allocated to health care, and the absence of subsidies for the public. Leachon said the government's decision to reduce taxes on tobacco — which could potentially lead to an increase in smoking rates — further jeopardizes funding for critical health care programs like PhilHealth. Leachon also criticized what he described as a focus on election-year promises rather than concrete action. He argued that many political leaders fail to follow through on their promises, using health care as an example of the disconnect between rhetoric and reality. "The ones creating the laws are also the ones breaking them," he said, citing violations of the Sin Tax Law and the Universal Health Care Law. Despite these concerns, Leachon acknowledged the efforts being made to inject funding into universal health care, but questioned whether these measures would be enough to address the country's health care challenges. "Health is not a major priority in our country," he said, suggesting that this lack of focus could hinder progress. The health advocate also stressed the importance of addressing the country's top killer diseases rather than expanding benefit packages prematurely. He advocated a more targeted approach to health care, focusing on the major health issues before considering peripheral measures. "We need to focus on the main problems of the country before we can do some peripheral measures," Leachon said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
HEALTH reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon voiced strong criticism of the current state of health care reform in the Philippines during The Manila Times' Innovative Keys to Universal Health forum on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering, Leachon emphasized the gap between government promises and actual implementation, particularly when it comes to universal health care and the execution of health-related policies.
"The problem isn't the law itself; it's the execution," Leachon said, highlighting the disparity between the Philippines' health care laws and their real-world impact.
He pointed out the diversion of funds, particularly the P90 billion allocated to health care, and the absence of subsidies for the public.
Leachon said the government's decision to reduce taxes on tobacco — which could potentially lead to an increase in smoking rates — further jeopardizes funding for critical health care programs like PhilHealth.
Leachon also criticized what he described as a focus on election-year promises rather than concrete action.
He argued that many political leaders fail to follow through on their promises, using health care as an example of the disconnect between rhetoric and reality.
"The ones creating the laws are also the ones breaking them," he said, citing violations of the Sin Tax Law and the Universal Health Care Law.
Despite these concerns, Leachon acknowledged the efforts being made to inject funding into universal health care, but questioned whether these measures would be enough to address the country's health care challenges.
"Health is not a major priority in our country," he said, suggesting that this lack of focus could hinder progress.
The health advocate also stressed the importance of addressing the country's top killer diseases rather than expanding benefit packages prematurely.
He advocated a more targeted approach to health care, focusing on the major health issues before considering peripheral measures.
"We need to focus on the main problems of the country before we can do some peripheral measures," Leachon said.
