Indigents welcome suspension of new hospital rates

C

ITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Indigent Kapampangans had welcomed the recent initiative suspending the implementation of "exorbitant" rates at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital (JBLMRH).

According to them,  JBLMRH officials  had gone beyond their authority in coming up with  new hospital rates in the absence of publication and consultation with the concerned stakeholders.

"Tama po ang ginawa ng mga board members ng ipatawag nila ang mga taga JBL. Kung kulang ang pondo ng ibinibigay ng gobyerno, huway naman nilang bawiin ito sa aming mahihirap," Teodore Sumang, a resident from Laug, Mexico town said. 

It can be recalled that the Provincial Board  passed earlier a resolution putting on hold or the implementation of "exorbitant" rates and called for a review if the medical facility "violated rules and procedures" in increasing its fees.

The Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office also manifested the desire to  create a task force to review the billing system and the reported "exorbitant rates" at the said hospital.

It was learned that JBLRMH had the highest rates for medical services among government hospitals in the region.

"Okey lang naman kung magtaas sila pero huwag naman sanang doble eh sa kapitolyo lamang kami tumatakbo para humingi ng tulong," another concerned Kapampangan told Sun Star Pampanga.