5 Pebrero, 2025 Miyerkules
election campaign period, gun ban in effect
Love month in iskup
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay
No to SOGIE bill
Congratulations 53 new brothers of Marked Men for Christ Philippines
PM for any hospital discharge problem
ABS 2025
Edwin Mercado, New PhilHealth chief
By Nidz Godino
“Edwin’s research topics are on Private Public Partnerships for primary care clinics and universal healthcare public financial systems in the Philippines…he is also assessing understanding and acceptance of UHC implementing rules among provider, payer, and regulator stakeholders,” Philhealth new president and chief executive officer (CEO) Edwin Mercado took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace.
In statement, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Mercado is orthopedic surgeon trained in the US. Mercado is the vice chair of Mercado General Hospital Inc., national chain of healthcare facilities that includes four general hospitals, six multi-specialty clinics, two surgery centers, 150 primary care corporate clinics and more.
Mercado graduated as Doctor of Medicine from University of the Philippines in 1987, and has Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery from Harvard Medical School in 2023.
PCO also said Mercado has an Executive Master’s in Healthcare Administration from University of North Carolina.
Mercado has also worked with Department of Health, and Zuellig Family Foundation. He is also faculty lecturer at Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, as well as guest lecturer at University of the Philippines College of Public Health.
Harvard Medical School’s website also noted that Mercado has studied health economics and delivery models in line with Universal Healthcare (UHC) Law, he worked on with PhilHealth.
Mercado’s replacement of Emmanuel Ledesma was preceded by controversial decision to remove Philhealth’s subsidy from national government.
Lawmakers questioned Philhealth over its accumulation of at least P500 billion in reserve funds, when it often covered so little of medical bills.
Marcos himself appeared to agree with this subsidy cut, but assured public that Philhealth services would continue.
Philhealth subsidy cut is one of the most contentious provisions in 2025 General Appropriations Act, with lawmakers and health advocates decrying the decision.
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