PhilHealth to shoulder half of hospital bills, lower premium contributions
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) assured that it will lower the premium contribution rates of its members from 5 % to 3.25 % and would expand the hospital coverage to up to 50 % starting next month, even if it would not be receiving any subsidy from the government.
PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. made this promise during the Blue Ribbon Committee congressional hearing last Tuesday, in response to the call made by congressmen that more funds of the agency should be used to directly benefit its members.
House Assistant Majority Leader at Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon requested PhilHealth to make sure that it will lower the contribution of its members, especially since it still has excess funds.
“Pwede bang mangako ang PhilHealth President? Sinasabi ninyo na tataas ng 50% ang coverage, na pinasasalamatan namin. Pero hindi pa ninyo natutupad ang mandato na ibaba ang premium contribution,” Bongalon said.
He reminded PhilHealth that part of its mandate is to reduce the contribution if its reserve funds exceeded the required ceiling for its expenditures.
Ledesma confirmed that part of their plan was to recommend lowering the premium contribution, which concurred with the proposed legislation of the Senate to bring down the rate from 5 % to 3.25 %.
“Nangako ako na pag-uusapan namin ito ng aking team sa PhilHealth para magrekomenda ng pagbaba sa premium contributions. Buong puso naming susuportahan ito,” Ledesma said.
Ledesma also made clear that premium rates are mandated by law. “Naka-set po lahat ‘yan. Sa ngayon, nasa 5% pa rin ito ngayong taon, na siyang huling pagtaas.”
Bongalon also questioned PhilHealth’s use of government funds, particularly the allocation intended for indirect contributors that seemed to have been redirected to investments.
“Sa 2024 GAA, ang budget ng PhilHealth ay P60 bilyon, kung saan P40 bilyon ay para sa indirect contributors. Pero hindi natin maintindihan kung bakit napupunta ito sa investments,” Bongalon added.
While Manila Rep. Joel Chua, head of the Blue Ribbon Committee, was pleased with the promise given by PhilHealth that it will decrease the contribution and expand the benefits.
“Sa ganitong PhilHealth, mas dadami ang tulong na maibibigay sa mga tao,” said Chua, who also stressed on the difficulties experienced by patients in paying high hospital bills.
“Ang kalusugan pa rin ang pangunahing problema ng ating mga constituents. Halimbawa, kung ma-confine ka sa Heart Center at umabot ng isang milyon ang bill, saan kukuha ng ganitong halaga ang ating mga kababayan?” Chua asked.
Chua also appealed to PhilHealth to utilize its funds to expand its healthcare benefits instead of pouring it into investments.
“Kaya sana, PhilHealth, unahin natin ang benepisyo sa kalusugan. Ang tunay na investment natin dito ay ang buhay ng tao,” he added.
Ledesma gave his word that they would monitor PhilHealth in expanding the benefits it provide to its members. “Ang commitment namin ay palawakin ang program benefits, na sana ay maipatupad na sa susunod na buwan,” he also said.
Considering its P150-billion surplus funds and more than P200-billion reserve funds, the lawmakers said PhilHealth must be able to balance its financial sustainability and provide immediate assistance that would be felt by its members.
The legislators also said that they would closely monitor PhilHealth, on how it implements its promises to ensure that it would provide true service to the Filipinos.
