Senator-elect Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Thursday urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to defer its scheduled premium hike this month, saying that any increase at this time would be insensitive to the plight of Filipinos still reeling from economic woes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Any increase at this time would be insensitive to the plight of our fellow Filipinos. Our countrymen, who though have somewhat recovered from the pandemic physically are still struggling to recuperate and stabilize their economic well-being,” Ejercito said in a statement.
“Premium hikes should only be implemented once the country finally recovers,” he pointed out.
Likewise, the incoming senator said any interest on missed PhilHealth contributions should also be waived for self-earning individuals, professional practitioners, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
PhilHealth earlier raised the premium rates to four percent this year to augment funding for a variety of medical services and facilities mandated under the Universal Healthcare Law.
But the move will result to higher deductions on workers and employees’ payrolls in the coming months, while those who voluntarily contribute to PhilHealth will have less cash left in their pockets.
As a temporary alternative to premium hikes, Ejercito said the Department of Health (DOH) can request for supplemental funding for the full implementation of the said measure.
“For the meantime, the DOH, in coordination with PhilHealth, should request appropriate supplemental funding pursuant to the UHC,” said Ejercito, who was the principal sponsor of the Universal Healthcare Law during his first term in the Senate.
“The additional funds should sufficiently cover the amount that should have been collected due to the proposal to defer the increase in PhilHealth premium,” he pointed out.
Ejercito said the health state insurance agency should heed the suggestion and immediately move to suspend any premium hike.
“There is still uncertainty for many Filipinos, particularly our workers, here and abroad. We are still in a health crisis and, therefore, we have to adapt to the situation,” the senator stressed.