On Wednesday, senators supported Ted Herbosa, the Health Secretary, in his plea to halt the planned increase in PhilHealth premiums for 2024.
Senator JV Ejercito, the advocate of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, backed Herbosa and noted he proposed legislation to modify the PhilHealth premium hike.
“I support Sec. Ted Herbosa’s proposal to suspend increase in Philhealth contributions because there is a pending bill that I filed on amendments to the UHC to adjust premium rates as we are still recovering from the pandemic,” Ejercito said.
“We have done studies on the numbers and PhilHealth said it will not affect the benefits and packages,” he added.
“Marami pa rin tayong mga kababayan ang nahihirapan sa kanilang hanapbuhay. Huwag na nating dagdagan pa ang bigat ng hirap na kanilang dinadala,” Go said.
“Bilang chair ng Senate ocmmittee on health, panawagan ko naman sa pamunuan ng PhilHealth ay tuluyang sugpuin ang mga anomalya sa ahensya, pagbutihin ang serbisyo nito at siguraduhing bawat piso sa pondo ng taumbayan ay nagagamit para sa mga Pilipino,” he said.
Senators support suspension of PhilHealth premium hike
Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that postponing the increase in PhilHealth premiums is not only thoughtful but also understanding of the country’s financial struggles.
“Nagawa naman na noon, ngayon pa kayang may garantiya mula sa mismong Secretary of Health na may sapat na pondo ang PhilHealth para isulong ang pagsasakatuparan ng Universal Health Care?” she said in a statement.
Previously, Herbosa had forwarded a suggestive note to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., advocating for a halt on this year’s PhilHealth premium increase.
The Palace has acknowledged that the President is reviewing Herbosa’s request. The upcoming hike in PhilHealth fees aligns with the Universal Health Care law enacted in 2019 by former President Duterte, which requires gradual increases to a 5% contribution rate by 2024.
Marcos directed the halt of the 2023 PhilHealth premium and salary limit increase, recognizing the economic struggles from the pandemic.
Last year, the premium rate was expected to rise to 45, and the monthly base salary cap was meant to reach P90,000.
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