Senate OKs bill banning PhilHealth fund transfer

MANILA, Philippines — Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act have been approved by the Senate, voting 19-0-0, on third and final reading.

Senate Bill 2620 prevents the funds or income of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) from being transferred to the general fund of the government, state agencies or instrumentalities and government-owned and controlled corporations.

Lower PhilHealth premium rates will also be implemented starting next year.

Dental services will be included in the essential health benefits package.

Of the state health insurer’s P89.9-billion excess funds, P20 billion was remitted in May to pay the emergency allowances of health care workers. 

Another P10 billion was transferred on Aug. 21.

In October, P30 billion will be transferred and the remaining P29.9 billion is scheduled in November.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and several groups asked the Supreme Court to bar PhilHealth from transferring its excess funds to the national treasury. 

“The bill aims to further reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients and move closer to the goal of zero-balance billing for all,” said Sen. JV Ejercito, who sponsored the amendment.

He said SB 2620 mandates the PhilHealth Board to review benefit packages.

As for the proposed new schedule of premium contributions, Ejercito said the five percent rate for 2024 will remain and the reduced premium rates will become effective in 2025.

Migrant workers’ premium contributions shall be based on the income floor, with 50 percent shouldered by the government.

Local manning agencies shall continue to shoulder 50 percent of the premium contribution.

Unpaid premium contributions of migrant workers in distress shall not be collected upon their arrival in the country.

Failure to pay PhilHealth contributions shall not be grounds for non-issuance of overseas employment certificates of migrant workers. 

“Filipinos with dual citizenship or those who have retained and re-acquired Filipino citizenship may enjoy the benefits under the UHC,” Ejercito said.