Senators led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri lauded President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for suspending the premium increases on Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members.

Zubiri said the move would ease up the burden of the general population in these difficult times coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘’It shows that the President knows and acts on the needs of our countrymen by bringing down the daily cost of expenses that every one is burdened with especially during this time of high inflation affecting everything from food to fuel,’’ Zubiri pointed out.

The Senate chief emphasized that the premium rate hikes might be established after we have brought down our inflation rate at a more comfortable level in the near future

‘’Once again we thank the President for this as this will allow a larger take home pay for all salaried workers for the meantime,’’ he said.

Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Co supported President Marcos’ decision to suspend the increase in PhilHealth's premium rate and income ceiling for this year.

‘’Given the situation we are still in now where we are still gradually recovering our economy from this global health crisis, such suspension will significantly unburden our people,’’ he said.

‘’As chairman of the Senate committee on health, I see no reason why this will adversely affect the various benefits and services to be provided by PhilHealth to its members,’’ he pointed out.

‘’We have successfully pushed for the allocation of P79 billion for PhilHealth subsidy under the 2023 national budget. In addition, we also included another P21.17 billion for benefit package improvements to be used specifically for dialysis coverage, mental health outpatient coverage, improvement of Z-Benefit packages, severe acute malnutrition, all case rate, rationalization of selected medical and surgical procedures, and the implementation of the comprehensive outpatient benefit package, including free consultation fees, laboratory tests, other diagnostic services, outpatient drug benefit, and emergency medical services,’’ he added.

Senator Nancy Binay pointed out that under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, there is a yearly increase of member premiums by 0.05 percent starting 2021 until it reaches the five percent limit in 2025.

‘’Naiintindihan din natin sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan lalo na yung direktang naapektuhan ng pandemic, kaya malaking bagay na pansamantalang i-hold muna ang increase sa premiums (We understand the real situation that affect our countrymen as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The suspension of members premiums, nevertheless, is a welcome move),’’ she said.

‘’Pero sana linawin din ng Palasyo na sisingilin pa rin ng PhilHealth ang supposed adjustments sa mga susunod na taon (Malacanang should explain that PhilHealth still has to demand payments on supposed adjustments in the coming years),’’ she pointed out.

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