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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-DOH chief Garin explains why PhilHealth membership should be per individual 

Ex-DOH chief Garin explains why PhilHealth membership should be per individual 

Published Jan 19, 2024 06:18 am

At A Glance

  • Individual membership application makes total sense for House Majority Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin as far as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is concerned. 

IMG-6e988565014624eda0a1491c868e8419-V.jpgIloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Individual membership application makes total sense for House Majority Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin as far as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is concerned.

Garin, a former Department of Health (DOH) secretary, made statements to this effect amid the impending five percent premium increase in PhilHealth contribution.

"We should have individual membership, hindi siya per family (it shouldn't be on a per family basis)," she said in a statement Friday, Jan. 19.

"Yung isang bata kunyari anak ko by virtue of being dependent pagdating niya ng 18 years old hindi na siya miyembro. 'Pag nagkaanak 'yan at nanganak siya, hindi siya miyembro ng PhilHealth, at 'yung anak naman niya, hindi rin ma-cocover kapag nagkasakit," explained Garin.

(For instance, if I had one child virtue of being dependent, he or she is no longer a member once he or she reaches 18 years old. If he or she gets to have a child, the child won't become a member of PhilHealth and thus won't enjoy coverage during sickness.)

"Dapat 'yan talaga individual membership. Pagkapanganak miyembro; kapag namatay tanggal sa lista," Garin added.

(That's why membership should be on an individual basis. A newborn means a new member; a death means a one is stricken off the list.)

Garin, a Committee on Appropriations vice chairperson, also prodded PhilHealth to give adequate programs and services for its members amid talks of the premium hike.

"Paano mo naman iincrease kung 'yung serbisyo ng PhilHealth ay hindi akma doon sa minimum expectation ng ating mga kababayan," she pointed out.

(How could you increase if the PhilHealth's service is not up to par with the minimum expectation of the people.)

"Health is the core of our economy and existence. Kaya dapat umayos ang PhilHealth (That's why PhilHealth must clean up its act)," Garin ended.

According to Malacañang, President Marcos has been studying DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa's appeal to suspend the implementation of premium rate increase this year.

The scheduled increase is mandated under the Universal Health Care Law, which was signed in 2019. It directs PhilHealth contributions to increase until it reaches five percent in 2024.

Related Tags

Janette Garin PhilHealth premiums Department of Health Davao
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