At least 4 senators on Tuesday welcomed the suspension of the rise in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) premium charge, saying this might ease up the general public’s burden amid hovering costs.
“I laud the President’s move to suspend the premium hikes on Philhealth members as it would ease up the burden of the general population in these difficult times coming out of the pandemic,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri stated in an announcement.
The lawmaker stated that the premium charge hikes could be carried out as soon as the inflation charge is “at a more comfortable level in the near future.”
Senate Health Committee chairman Bong Go shared Zubiri’s sentiments, saying this may “significantly unburden” the Filipinos.
“I see no reason why this will adversely affect the various benefits and services to be provided by PhilHealth to its members,” he stated.
Senator JV Ejercito, who sponsored the Universal Health Care legislation which supplied the scheduled PhilHealth contribution hike, stated the federal government should even be delicate to the present circumstances.
“We need to adapt to the situation as we are still recovering from the pandemic. The intention of UHC is to improve the quality of lives of the Filipino people by giving access to good quality healthcare, and not to be a burden,” he stated.
Senator Nancy Binay referred to as on Malacanang to make clear that the changes in PhilHealth contributions will nonetheless push by means of within the coming years.
“Malaking bagay na pansamantalang i-hold muna ang increase sa premiums [p]ero sana linawin din ng Palasyo na sisingilin pa rin ng PhilHealth ang supposed adjustments sa mga susunod na taon,” she stated.
On Monday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered PhilHealth to droop the rise of premium charge and revenue ceiling for 2023.
The scheduled enhance is predicated on the Universal Healthcare Law, which mandated hikes within the PhilHealth contribution charge till it reaches 5 p.c by 2024.
If one earns P10,000 month-to-month, his or her P400 contribution will enhance to P450. The contribution is split between the employer and the worker.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
