Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 9) — Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, principal sponsor and author of the Universal Health Care law, on Tuesday said he wants to amend the measure to adjust the timing of the increases in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) premium contributions.
“I’m proposing an amendment to adjust the premium contributions. There will be a hike every year but we will now go back to pre-pandemic level,” he told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihood of workers and employers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decided to suspend the increase in insurance contributions this year.
This was the second time a hike was suspended following former President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to do so in 2021.
Instead of the supposed 5% increase in 2024, the rate will return to 3%, Ejercito noted.
This was the rate in 2020 when the first hike took effect under the UHC.
The senator said his proposed amendments will make the increase in contributions more affordable for those covered by PhilHealth.
The hike will also be gradual with a 0.5% annual increase, he added.
Ejercito said contributions from overseas Filipino workers will also increase. He said stakeholders were already consulted regarding the proposal.
