Lawmakers from Abra are pushing a measure that would require health maintenance organization (HMO) coverage for all public school teachers, citing the growing financial strain educators face due to medical expenses.
Abra Lone District Representative JB Bernos and Solid North Party-list Representative Ching Bernos filed House Bill (HB) 6512, known as the “TeachCare Bill,” on December 1 to strengthen health protections for teachers who, they said, continue to shoulder heavy workloads.
The proposal grants medical and dental HMO benefits to public school teachers who have served at least six months, integrating the coverage into their employment package.
The bill also aims to institutionalize and build on Executive Order 64, series of 2024, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed earlier this year to provide an annual medical allowance of up to P7,000 for government civilian employees, including teachers.
In a statement, JB Bernos said teachers deserve stronger support because of the demands inherent in their profession.
“Considering the demands required of them in the conduct of their duties, it is only right that we provide support to teachers through HMO coverage so they could look after their health without fear that doing so would further deplete their already meager salaries,” he said.
Bernos added that reports from the Department of Education and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers show educators spend a significant portion of their income on healthcare.
“If there is one sector deserving of added support through HMO coverage, it is that of our educators who put in long hours doing teaching and administrative duties, and go home to do more of the same,” he said.
He also emphasized the risks teachers face in their daily work.
“At risk po ang ating mga guro dahil sa kanilang trabaho, pero marami sa kanila ang pinipiling tiisin ang kanilang karamdaman dahil maaari nilang ikabaon sa utang ang dagdag na gastusin para sa kanilang kalusugan,” he added.
HB 6512 is pending referral to the appropriate committee at the House of Representatives.
