It is heartening that migrant workers here, including maids, could get medical insurance coverage that is several times more than what is required by law currently. Such changes would enhance medical care for those workers while providing greater financial protection to employers should their workers incur unexpectedly large medical bills.

Caring for the medical needs of foreign workers is both a practical and a moral imperative. Workers who know that they are well protected against the financial consequences of falling ill would enjoy a degree of security that would motivate them to put their best into their jobs. Also, since high out-of-pocket costs and the fear of being repatriated are major concerns for them, they are more likely to be forthcoming about their medical condition and not delay seeking care till the illness is advanced. Although it is natural for employers to be concerned with their financial bottom line, they need to understand the benefits that they stand to gain from a better-insured foreign workforce.