OCT.

30, 2011 DATE

NR # 2572
REF. NO.

Solon seeks expanded medical benefits for senior citizens

Senior citizens will get more medical benefits under a bill seeking to amend the Senior Citizens Act. Rep. Carmelo Lazatin (1st District, Pampanga) filed House Bill 5285 to provide senior citizens free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees, such as, but not limited to annual physical examination and necessary laboratory tests extended by all government facilities. The bill also provides free x-rays, computerized tomography scans, cardiac stress tests, endoscopy, ultrasound on kidneys, ureter and bladder, pulmonary function tests and blood tests, including professional fees of attending physicians. The bill seeks to amend Section 4 of Republic Act 9994 otherwise known as the Senior Citizens Act, which only grants senior citizens free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees, x-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests in all government facilities. The government recognizes senior citizens as an integral part of society. During their prime, they contributed, in one way or another, to make the country a much better place for the younger generation to enjoy, Lazatin said. Lazatin said the enactment of Republic Act 7432 or the Senior Citizens Act of 2003 is a proof of the States appreciation of the elderlys hard work, ensuring that senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the community as a whole. Lazatin said RA 7432 was amended by RA 9994 in 2009 to further advance the welfare of senior citizens. Majority of our senior citizens needs regular annual physical examination that most of them cannot afford due to the fact that they are retired employees or indigents, Lazatin said. The policy of the State is to have an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable rates. There shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children, Lazatin added. Lazatin said the family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of social security. (30) jsc