THE Senate of the Philippines unanimously approved a proposed measure amending the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act, a significant move towards improving the country’s healthcare system.

Senate Bill No. 2620, which seeks to revise Republic Act (RA) No. 11223, was passed on its third and final reading with a 19-0-0 vote.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, one of the authors and co-sponsors of the measure, emphasized the importance of lowering premium contributions of direct members, particularly in light of recent concerns regarding PhilHealth’s unutilized funds.

“Mr. President, we are glad that this legislation effectively reduces premium contribution rates from the current 5% to 3.25% in 2025,” Go stated.

He further highlighted the significant amount of funds that remain unused within PhilHealth that could otherwise be utilized to enhance the services provided to the Filipino people instead of relying on additional subsidies or contributions from its members.

“As manifested during the period of interpellation and amendments, bilyun-bilyong pondo ang naka-tengga sa PhilHealth. Hindi nila nagagamit para mapabuti at mapa-ganda ang serbisyo nila sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

Go also called on PhilHealth to take immediate action in improving their services: “Patuloy ang panawagan natin sa PhilHealth to increase case rates coverage, expand program benefits, suspend premium rates increase, scrap the single period of confinement policy, and stop the transfer of their funds to the National Treasury.”

He emphasized the need for these reforms to ensure that PhilHealth effectively serves the healthcare needs of the public.

Go also said that he will monitor the commitment of PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. to recommend the suspension of the premium rate increase to the President while awaiting the enactment of the proposed law.

“He committed to immediately recommend to the President the suspension of the premium rate increase. While we await the enactment of the measure we just approved, we will hold Mr. Ledesma to his commitment to the Filipino people,” he asserted.

In addition to the reduction of premium rates, Go has been pushing for PhilHealth to expand its benefits, increase case rate coverage, and prevent the transfer of excess funds to the national treasury.

Finally, Go also took the opportunity to congratulate Senator JV Ejercito, who is also the principal sponsor of the Universal Healthcare Act, for his relentless efforts in pushing for the passage of the needed amendments.

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