Various senators are currently seeking to suspend the increase of premium contributions for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) this year.
The Senate Bill No. 1968—filed by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, as well as Senators Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Win Gatchalian, and Sonny Angara—aims to amend the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act in a bid to delay the scheduled PhilHealth contribution increase.
In a statement, Zubiri said: “Napakaraming tao ang nawalan ng trabaho at hanapbuhay ngayong pandemya. Maraming natambakan ng mga bayarin sa ilaw, sa tubig, sa renta. Mabigat sa bulsa itong PhilHealth increase kung sakaling matuloy.”
He added that the corporation should first resolve the corruption issues it faced in order to efficiently utilize all contributions, as well as gain back the trust of the public.
Poe also said that it is not right to do contributions hike in the middle of the crisis, especially as many Filipinos “have experienced salary cuts already.”
Senator Richard Gordon also filed Senate Bill No. 1971, which orders the suspension of premium contributions hike in times of emergencies and calamities. It can be extended to another six months as deemed necessary in the interest of the public.
“Beyond the human tragedy, there is a direct economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill seeks to accord relief and flexibility to the people by empowering the President to temporarily suspend or defer increase in premium contributions scheduled under the Universal Health Care Act,” Gordon said in the bill.
Senator Imee Marcos, meanwhile, also filed Senate Bill No. 1966 that seeks to reschedule the increase to 2022.
