Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth said it has no power to reverse the law stating a yearly increase in member contributions.
On Sunday, Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Michael Defensor proposed a six-month reprieve from paying the higher contributions, saying it would not negatively impact PhilHealth.
“Batid na batid ng PhilHealth, at lubos na nauunawaan po ng ahensiya ang kasalukuyang situation ng marami nating kababayan, at yung sitwasyon ng maraming negosyo. Ngunit…wala sa kapangyarihan ng PhilHealth na hindi po ipatupad ang itinatadhana ng batas. Wala tayong authority para hindi ito iimplement,” PhilHealth Spokesperson Rey Baleña told CNN Philippines.
[Translation: PhilHealth knows and understands the current situation of the people as well as of many businesses. But it is not within our power to stop implementing what the law says. We do not have the authority to stop this from being implemented.]
On Monday, Senator Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill 1966, an act suspending the increase in PhilHealth contributions.
Baleña explained the rise in premiums among direct contributors started in 2019, rising gradually per year, until it reaches 5% in 2024.
Baleña added any move to delay the hike in contributions would have to go through Congress.
Marcos said suspending the increase was appropriate given the financial and economic difficulties faced by the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tanging Kongreso lang ang may kapangyarihan na i-amyenda ang batas, at ipinababahala po natin sa mga mambabatas ang bagay na ito,” he said.
[Translation: Only Congress has the power to amend the law, and we leave this issue to lawmakers.]
In a statement in December, PhilHealth explained the increase is to “ensure sufficient funding for the health care of its 110 million members as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Law.”
The premium rate will be increased to 3.50% from the current 3.00%.
“The premium adjustment is provided for in Section 10 of the UHC Law and its implementing rules and regulations, the guidelines of which are contained in Circular 2020-005 published by PhilHealth on March 5, 2020,” said PhilHealth.
Starting January 1, those who have a monthly basic salary of ₱10,000 and below shall have a fixed contribution of ₱350 a month. Those earning ₱70,000 and higher per month will pay a fixed rate of ₱2,450 monthly.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III backed the rise in premiums, saying it is needed to ensure the sustainability of the system.
However, according to Senator Bong Go, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would support the deferment of the hike, and was prepared to fund its augmentation.
LOOK: PhilHealth will implement scheduled contribution rate adjustment for 2021. https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt pic.twitter.com/M8WdkmLCsM
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) December 29, 2020
