Using its reserve funds, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) should strive to lower the contributions of its members and at the same time increase its case rates and expand its healthcare benefits, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go said it is critical that the state health insurance agency maximizes its available resources to help Filipinos who struggle to afford medical care. 

“Kaya ang apela natin sa PhilHealth, gamitin ang kanilang pondo nang tama — taasan ang case rates, i-expand ang benefit packages, at irekomendang babaan ang kontribusyon ng mga miyembro lalo na’t may sapat na pondo naman pala sila (That’s why we appeal to PhilHealth, use their funds properly—increase the case rates, expand the benefit packages and recommend the reduction of member contributions especially since they have sufficient funds), Go said. 

Last week, Go grilled executives of PhilHealth during its inquiry into the transfer of almost P90-billion excess funds of the agency to the National Treasury upon the decision and directive of state economic managers.

Despite the remittance of the P90-billion, PhilHealth Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. assured lawmakers that the agency still has P500-billion in reserves that they can utilize to improve services and reduce member contributions.

To this, Go pushed for the enhancing of PhilHealth's service offerings, particularly by expanding the coverage of dialysis treatments, mental health services, and Z-benefit packages for various severe illnesses.

"Sa packages pa lamang ng PhilHealth, maraming buhay ang maliligtas kung magagamit ang pondo para sa pagpapalawak ng mga benepisyo para sa may sakit (Just on PhilHealth’s packages, more lives would be saved if these funds can be used to expand its benefits for the sick),” he explained. 

Furthermore, Go said increasing the case rates to expand coverage of those availing of medical assistance from the government would be commendable. 

The senator reminded PhilHealth it is part of the 166 existing Malasakit Centers where Filipinos often go to to avail of such medical-related support to cover their hospital bills. 

“Sana ay taasan rin ng PhilHealth ang coverage ng kasalukuyang case rates nito para lalo pang mabawasan ang out-of-pocket o dudukiting pera mula mismo sa bulsa ng pasyente (I hope PhilHealth increase the coverage of the current case rates so they can further help reduce out-of-pocket expenses from their patients),” he said.

“Kung palalawakin ang benepisyo mula PhilHealth at tataasan ang case rates, hindi na sana kailangang pumila at magmamakaawa pa ang mga may sakit para humingi ng tulong. Pera naman ng Pilipino yan, dapat ibalik sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng maayos na serbisyo (If PhilHealth expands the benefits and increases the case rates, patients need not queue for long and beg just to ask for help),” he stressed.