Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said paying members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should receive expanded benefits commensurate with the premiums they regularly contribute to the state insurer.

In a radio interview, Recto said he would meet with PhilHealth officials next week to discuss the possible expansion of benefit packages for contributing members, particularly those belonging to the middle class.

"Ayon sa batas, iba ang benefit package para sa kanila. Dagdagan natin ito (Under the law, they have a different benefit package. Let's increase it)," Recto told DZRH on Friday, June 19.

The Executive Secretary said he understands the frustrations of employees and other members who consistently pay their PhilHealth premiums but feel they are not receiving proportionate benefits.

“Halimbawa, kung ikaw ay empleyado at nagbabayad ng mahigit P30,000 hanggang P60,000 maximum contribution kada taon, P300 billion kada taon ang pondo na ginagastos ng PhilHealth. Kapag nagkasakit ang 10 milyon, samakatuwid ay P30,000 ang support value niyan (For example, if you are an employee paying more than P30,000 to P60,000 in maximum annual contributions, PhilHealth spends P300 billion annually. If 10 million people get sick, that translates to a support value of P30,000 each),” he said.

"So kung nagbayad ka ng P50,000 to P60,000, ang indigent ay libre. Walang bayad. On average, P30,000 dapat ang bayad, pero indigent ka, wala kang binayaran. So panalo ka. Kaya alam ko, yung mga nagbabayad, dapat taasan natin ang PhilHealth benefits (So if you paid P50,000 to P60,000, while indigent members pay nothing, on average, the support value is P30,000. If you're indigent, you paid nothing, so you're ahead. That's why I believe those who are paying should receive higher PhilHealth benefits),” he added.

Recto's proposal comes nearly a year after the government implemented a zero-balance billing policy, under which all medical expenses incurred in government hospitals are fully covered by PhilHealth.

The administration has also been pushing for increased healthcare benefits and wider coverage to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Filipino families.

Meanwhile, Recto maintained that there were no new arguments in the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed before the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the transfer of excess PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury.

"Consistent naman ang naging pahayag at findings hinggil sa usaping ito. Ang mahalaga ay hindi naapektuhan ang operasyon ng PhilHealth at ang serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan (The statements and findings on this issue have remained consistent. What is important is that PhilHealth's operations and services for our countrymen were not affected),” he said.

The Executive Secretary said this in response to a group of lawyers and doctors seeking a review of the Ombudsman's decision dismissing complaints related to the transfer of PhilHealth funds.

According to Recto, the government's actions were in accordance with existing policies, noting that the transferred funds came from excess government contributions and reserve funds that were not being utilized by PhilHealth.

"Walang katotohanan na naapektuhan ang operasyon ng PhilHealth dahil sa pondong iyon (It is not true that PhilHealth's operations were affected by those funds),” he said.

“Hindi nabawasan ang benepisyo o serbisyo ng PhilHealth para sa ating mga miyembro (The benefits and services for our members were not reduced),” he added.

The Palace official stressed that the government aims to maximize idle public funds to support priority programs and services.

“Lagi nating tinitiyak na ang pondo ng bayan ay nagagamit para sa mga prayoridad na proyekto at serbisyo ng gobyerno. Kung may pondong hindi nagagamit, kailangang mapakinabangan ito para sa kapakanan ng mas maraming Pilipino (We always ensure that public funds are used for the government's priority projects and services. If there are funds that are not being utilized, they should be put to use for the benefit of more Filipinos),” he said.

Recto also denied claims linking him to projects allegedly funded by PhilHealth funds.

"Wala po akong alam diyan. Secretary of Finance ako noon at hindi kongresista (I know nothing about that. I was the Secretary of Finance then and not a congressman),” he said.

“Ang paglalaan ng budget ay ginagawa ng Kongreso at ipinatutupad ng DBM. Ang trabaho ng Department of Finance ay tiyakin ang kita at fiscal position ng pamahalaan (Budget allocations are made by Congress and implemented by the Department of Budget and Management. The Department of Finance's job is to ensure the government's revenues and fiscal position),” he added,

Despite this, Recto acknowledged that filing a motion for reconsideration is part of the democratic and legal process.

"Karapatan nila iyan. Alam naman natin na bahagi rin ito ng mas malawak na usaping pampulitika na nagaganap sa bansa (That is their right. We know that this is also part of the broader political issues taking place in the country),” he said.