PBBM: Decision on PhilHealth premium hike out ‘very soon’

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo from Presidential Communications Office)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he will decide “very soon” on the implementation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) 5% premium rate increase.

“It’s still under study but we’ll come to a conclusion very very soon,” Marcos said in a media interview before leaving the country for his visit to Canberra, Australia, when asked if he is in favor of the increase in PhilHealth’s contributions.

Marcos said he is still assessing the possible benefits of the premium hike, adding that he may support it if it is “justifiable.”

“It’s really a cost benefit analysis and PhilHealth has been expanding its services and trying to reach more people and trying to engage more people,” he said.

“So, kung meron benepisyo naman, then, if we can justify the increase, then we’ll do it. But if we cannot, then we won’t. Ganun lang ka simple ‘yun. It’s just a very straightforward cost benefit analysis,” Marcos added.

PhilHealth on Feb. 14 vowed to enhance their services and patients’ benefit package.

On Feb. 23, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said the Office of the President “pose[s] no objection” to the 5% premium rate increase implemented in January this year.

Malacañang, however, said the PhilHealth’s contribution hike is “still ongoing” to make sure that any increase will be advantageous to the members.

Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Law mandates the increase in the PhilHealth contribution rate to increments of 0.5% every year starting in 2021 until it reaches 5% from 2024 to 2025.

Marcos previously suspended PhilHealth’s increase in premium rate and incoming ceiling for the calendar year 2023.

Popular

PBBM cites education as admin’s top priority, pushes for SCS COC in ASEAN 2026 chairship

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated his commitment to strengthening the education system in the country, vowing to prioritize education-centric reforms, policies,...

PBBM discusses eGovPH app benefits, commuter-centric transport, and online gambling in podcast

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored his administration’s continued push for digital transformation in the government and the importance of transportation that...

PH secures 18 business deals with India during PBBM visit

By Brian Campued On the heels of the New Delhi leg of his state visit to India, which saw the signing of key agreements, including...

PBBM reaffirms PH commitment to international law in fostering regional peace

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday cautioned against calling all competing maritime disputes on the South China Sea equal, as he...