Lower PhilHealth contributions sought

MANILA, Philippines — Increased benefit packages and lower contribution rates for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) members are being sought by Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee.

Amendments to Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, which would institutionalize the comprehensive increase in PhilHealth benefits and reduced member contributions, must be immediately passed, Lee said yesterday.

In filing House Bill 10995, Lee proposed lower premium contributions, from five percent to four percent in 2024 and from five percent to 4.25 percent in 2025.

Lee proposed that the Health Technology Assessment Council review and assess the amounts of each PhilHealth benefit package and ensure that these are updated.

He sought to give the President the power to suspend PhilHealth premium contribution increases in a state of national emergency, public health emergency or calamity.

“PhilHealth has plenty of money. It should be used not only for widening the benefits of the Filipinos, but also in reducing the contributions of its members which is also a great burden to many of our countrymen,” Lee said.

Free diagnostic scans and prescription eyeglasses and at least 80 percent coverage for cancer treatments and heart procedures are also being proposed by the congressman.

Lee welcomed the Supreme Court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order stopping PhilHealth’s transfer of P29.9 billion in unused funds to the national treasury, which represented the fourth and final tranche of PhilHealth funds amounting to P89.9 billion.

PhilHealth transferred P20 billion in May, P10 billion in August and P30 billion in October.

On Feb. 14, the state health insurer implemented a 30-percent increase in the coverage rates of most of its benefit packages.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth remains optimistic that the Senate will grant its proposed budget despite being criticized for its transfer of excess funds to the national treasury.

“We are confident that the Senate will grant our proposed budget for the premium contributions of our indirect contributors such as the indigents, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, as clearly provided for in the law,” PhilHealth said.

The state health insurer said it will be transparent about its spending. — Rhodina Villanueva