The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Tuesday assured the members of the House of Representatives that it would reduce premium contributions for members from 5% to 3.25% and increase hospitalization coverage by 50%.
PhilHealth made this commitment during a hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee, despite having no subsidies. The vow was made by PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., in response to concerns raised by lawmakers regarding the utilization of the agency’s reserve funds.
House assistant majority leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon urged PhilHealth to ensure a reduction in members’ contributions, given the agency’s surplus funds.
“Can we ask the commitment of the president of PhilHealth? Kasi sinasabi niyo po ngayon, which we appreciate, kasi by next month tataas ng 50% (ang coverage). But you failed to fulfill the second mandate,” Bongalon said.
“Iyun ho ang mandato ninyo eh. So can we commit, can you commit na hindi lang kayo nakatuon or naka-focus doon sa benefit expansion. But can you commit also na i-decrease ninyo yung premium contribution?” Bongalon added.
Ledesma responded by reassuring the committee that he had already scheduled a meeting with his team to discuss the possibility of reducing the contributions.
“I actually made a commitment to sit down with my team in PhilHealth to recommend for a decrease in the premium contributions,” Ledesma said.
“We are fully supporting that reduction. And that is a very huge reduction po,” he added.
“Lahat yan naka-set po. And then just for the information of this honorable body, it’s currently at 5% this year. Iyan po yung huling increase,” Ledesma explained.
Bongalon also raised concerns about government subsidies allocated to PhilHealth, questioning why funds meant for indirect contributors appeared to have been redirected toward investments.
“Same with the 2024 GAA. Ang budget ng PhilHealth ay P60 billion, P40 billion doon ay para sa indirect contributors. So hindi ho natin maintindihan kung bakit napupunta lahat sa investments,” Bongalon said.
PhilHealth’s commitment to lowering rates was accompanied by a pledge to enhance healthcare benefits, addressing concerns raised by Manila Rep. Joel Chua, the panel chairman.
“With this PhilHealth, lalong dadagdag po sana ‘yung tulong,” Chua said.
“Kasi, for example, ma-confine ka sa Heart Center, ang bill mo isang milyon. Saan naman kukuha ng isang milyon mga constituents namin?” Chua added.
Chua urged PhilHealth to prioritize the mandate of expanding benefits.
“Kaya sana, ito pong PhilHealth, mag-focus tayo sa healthcare benefits instead sa investments… kasi dito ang investment natin dito ay buhay ng tao,” Chua said.
Ledesma assured the committee that PhilHealth would remain committed to expanding healthcare benefits.
“Ang commitment namin is to increase the program benefits, which hopefully mag-take effect by next month,” he said.