Bong Go champions amendments to UHC
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, during a co-sponsorship speech, has voiced his strong support for the proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, with a focus on revising the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) premium contributions to alleviate the financial strain on Filipinos, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Go expressed his support to Sen. JV Ejercito, vice chair of the Senate Health Committee and principal sponsor of the Universal Healthcare Act during the 17th Congress, who also sponsored the proposed amendment to the UHC Law in the plenary session on Tuesday, March 19.
The UHC Act is originally mandated to increase the premium contribution rates until 2025 to ensure PhilHealth’s financial health. However, Go highlighted the unforeseen impact of the pandemic and the economic crisis it precipitated.
“Mr. Chair, alam naman po natin na hindi natin inasahan ang nangyaring pandemya at krisis na pinagdaanan natin. I am certain that when the 17th Congress included in the law the premium rate increases, no one in this Chamber knew what was about to hit us,” said Go.
The senator’s concerns reflect the difficulties many Filipinos face, including job losses, business closures, and the daily struggles of ordinary citizens weighing the importance of additional contributions against their families’ basic needs.
“Kaya po sa tingin ko, nararapat lang na rebyuhin ulit ang mga tinakdang pagtaas sa kontribusyon sa PhilHealth para makatulong tayo sa pag-recover ng ating mga kababayan mula sa pandemya.
Marami ang nawalan ng trabaho at marami ang nagsarang mga negosyo,” Go remarked.
Go said that most people, especially individually paying members like our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), cannot afford to pay the mandated premium increase.
The senator recounted the collective call to the Executive Department, led by then-president Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, to suspend the increases in PhilHealth premiums.
The proposed amendments aim to introduce a new premium scale, reducing PhilHealth premiums from 2024 to 2027. A noteworthy provision in the bill is the requirement for the national government to cover fifty percent of the premium contributions for migrant workers, ensuring that the inability to pay premiums will not hinder the issuance of overseas employment certificates—a crucial document for Filipinos working abroad.
Ending his speech, Go underscored the injustice of imposing additional financial burdens on those already facing significant hardships, advocating for the government to extend every possible relief as the country recovers.
“Lahat ng palugit na pwede natin maibigay habang tayo ay nagre-recover pa, ibigay na po natin. Balansehin lang natin ito para hindi rin naman mailagay sa alanganin ang kabuuang pondong pangkalusugan na makakatulong sa mas maraming Pilipino,” concluded.
