Health is wealth.

This is why the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 11357, which proposes significant amendments to the Republic Act No. 11223, more commonly known as the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, is crucial in ongoing efforts to reform healthcare in the country. This bill aims to address some of the longstanding challenges in the nation’s healthcare system, with the goal of making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and equitable for every Filipino. While the UHC law was a landmark piece of legislation when it was enacted in 2019, the proposed amendments signal that healthcare reform is an evolving process that requires continuous enhancement.

One of the key features of HB 11357 is ensuring financial sustainability, especially with regards to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Determined to guarantee financial sustainability, the bill prohibits the transfer of PhilHealth reserve funds or income to the national government or any government-owned or controlled corporation. The passage of the bill comes almost a year after the Department of Finance (DOF) directed government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to transfer their excess funds to the national treasury.

The bill also caps administrative expenses at 7.5 percent of the benefits given to its members the previous year, from the previous cap of 7.5 percent of total premium collections. Other features of the proposed law include cutting the premium contribution rate for PhilHealth members to 3.5 percent, down from the current five percent; and waiving premium contributions for migrant workers — both land- and sea-based. Instead, their employers will shoulder 50 percent of their contributions, while the national government will cover the other half. The bill also mandates that unused portions of premium subsidies for indirect contributors must be allocated exclusively for benefit increases.

The measure also allows component cities and municipalities to establish and/or maintain their own Special Health Fund.

Under the proposed law, a Universal Health Care Coordinating Council will be created to intensify and expedite the implementation of the UHC Act, as embodied in Republic Act No. 11223, at the national and sub-national levels, and provide a venue for policy discourse and operational collaboration among relevant agencies and organizations.

With these proposed amendments, more financial resources will be directed toward making health insurance more inclusive, which is crucial in ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind. This will improve the financial protection that PhilHealth offers to Filipinos, ensuring that health-related expenses do not push individuals and families deeper into poverty.

While the passage of this bill is a step in the right direction, it is important to recognize that the true success of the UHC reforms will depend on their effective implementation. The government must ensure that the additional resources and policies translate into tangible improvements on the ground. This includes building the necessary infrastructure, expanding the reach of healthcare services to remote areas, and ensuring that the healthcare workforce is adequately supported and compensated.

The amendments to the UHC law offer hope for a healthcare system that is not only more inclusive but also more sustainable and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people. As the country continues to grapple with the challenges of a growing population and an evolving public health landscape, these changes reflect a forward-thinking approach to building a healthier, more resilient society. With proper implementation and political will, these amendments have the potential to significantly improve healthcare outcomes and make quality health services a reality for all Filipinos.