Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to address concerns regarding the scheduled premium contribution hike this year.
PhilHealth is set to implement an increase in premium contribution this year, ending a one and a half reprieve, after agreeing to delay the premium hike from 3 percent to 3.5 percent in 2020 upon the directive of President Duterte.
“Umaapela ako na maingat na balansehin dapat ng pamunuan ng PhilHealth ang mga hinaing hinggil sa pagtaas ng kanilang singil sa mga miyembro (Iam appealing to the PhilHealth leadership to carefully balance the concerns of the members regarding the premium hike),” said Go in a statement.
“Timbangin nang maayos kung paano mapapagaan ang hirap na kinakaharap pa ng mga Pilipino dahil sa pandemya at ang pangangailangang magkaroon ng sapat na pondo para sa dagdag na mga benepisyo at mas pinabuting serbisyo at programa sa ilalim ng mas maayos na implementasyon ng (The agency should carefully weigh how they can ease the burden of Filipinos due to the pandemic and the need to have sufficient funds for the benefits and better service in light of the implementation of the) Universal Health Care Act,” he added.
The Senate Committee on Health and Demography chief also said it is necessary to take steps to protect the best interest of Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, while ensuring that the state health insurance agency can fully implement the UHC Act.
At the same time, he said the Executive Department should thoroughly study the matter by balancing the proper implementation of the law with the current situation of the country amid the ongoing pandemic.
“Habang nasa pandemya pa tayo, sana ay huwag na muna nating dagdagan ang mga problemang pinapasan ng mga pangkaraniwan nating mamamayan na sinisikap makabangon mula sa krisis (While we are still in a pandemic, I hope we don’t add to the burden of ordinary citizens who are striving to recover from the crisis),” he stressed.
Earlier, PhilHealth Senior Manager Rex Paul Recoter announced that PhilHealth is obligated to collect the higher premium rate of 4 percent this year as provided by the UHC Law.
Under the UHC Law signed in 2019, PhilHealth premium rates are set to increase gradually starting from 2.75 percent in 2019 to 5 percent in 2024 and 2025.