PhilHealth can afford up to 30% coverage increase, says Lee
At A Glance
- AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has reiterated the need for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to increase the coverage it offers to its members.
AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Rep. Lee's office)
A neophyte congressman has reiterated the need for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to increase the coverage it offers to its members.
This, as AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee reckoned that the state health insurer can afford to increase its coverage by 20 percent to 30 percent.
"Given the enormous funds that are still in PhilHealth's investment platforms and its partner banks, I would like to formally request in writing and recommend to the PhilHealth management a [20 percent to 30 percent] increase in all benefit packages and coverage provided by the corporation," he said in a letter PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. dated Oct. 23, 2023.
Lee insisted in the letter that "PhilHealth's case rate must be updated as it is no longer responsive to the hospitalization cost of the beneficiaries."
"As I previously pointed out, while we recognize the mandate of the PhilHealth to invest its income for its corporate survival, a more responsive and impactful health insurance program and the welfare of its contributors and beneficiaries are far more important and must be prioritized by PhilHealth," added the legislator from Sorsogon.
Lee emphasized that, "Sa panahon na walang humpay ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan ang karagdagang benepisyo."
(During these times that times of non-stop price hikes, having increased benefits would certainly help our countrymen.)
"Kung may bilyon-bilyong pondo ang PhilHealth, dapat mas mapalawak ang benepisyo sa mga miyembro nito (It PhilHealth has billions worth of funds, then they must expand their benefits for their members)," he underscored.
Lee assured the public that he would continue to look for ways to improve the country's healthcare system and make it more responsive to the needs of Filipinos.