Congress is now working on bills to hold off the increase in members’ contributions to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) following the deferment directive of President Rodrigo Duterte on the matter.
At least three bills have been filed at the Senate to amend the Universal Healthcare Law and to suspend the hike in premiums while a joint resolution has been filed at the House of Representatives.
“Ang PhilHealth ay kaisa ng pangulo para maibsan ‘yung pasanin ng marami sa ating kababayan na naapektuhan ng pandemya (PhilHealth is one with the president to ease the burden of our countrymen affected by the pandemic),” PhilHealth Spokesperson Rey Baleña stated.
PhilHealth has already welcomed the decision and assured that the moves initiated by lawmakers will not affect its services as the corporation still has reserve funds to maintain the current level of benefits and to push through with expansion.
As of January 4 this year, PhilHealth has ₱92 billion in cash and ₱162 billion worth of investment and placements on treasury bills and bonds. Various agencies will be working on the ₱13 billion budget to meet the target fund of the corporation for 2021.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth assured that it will soon pay its balances to the Philippine Red Cross to ensure the latter’s continuous service.
“This week mayroon tayong inaasahang payment sa Red Cross na maaring umabot sa ₱265 million at ang ating processing ay magno-normalize na (We are expecting to make a payment to Red Cross this week that could reach ₱265 million and that our processing will normalize),” Baleña disclosed. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
