PhilHealth rate hike suspension to ease Filipinos' burden amid inflation —senators

At least four senators on Tuesday welcomed the suspension of the increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's (PhilHealth) premium rate, saying this would ease up the public's burden amid soaring prices.

"I laud the President’s move to suspend the premium hikes on Philhealth members as it would ease up the burden of the general population in these difficult times coming out of the pandemic," Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a statement.

The lawmaker said that the premium rate hikes can be implemented once the inflation rate is "at a more comfortable level in the near future."

Senate Health Committee chairman Bong Go shared Zubiri's sentiments, saying this will "significantly unburden" the Filipinos.

"I see no reason why this will adversely affect the various benefits and services to be provided by PhilHealth to its members," he said.

Senator JV Ejercito, who sponsored the Universal Health Care law which provided the scheduled PhilHealth contribution hike, said the government must also be sensitive to the current circumstances.

"We need to adapt to the situation as we are still recovering from the pandemic. The intention of UHC is to improve the quality of lives of the Filipino people by giving access to good quality healthcare, and not to be a burden," he said.

Senator Nancy Binay called on Malacanang to clarify that the adjustments in PhilHealth contributions will still push through in the coming years.

"Malaking bagay na pansamantalang i-hold muna ang increase sa premiums [p]ero sana linawin din ng Palasyo na sisingilin pa rin ng PhilHealth ang supposed adjustments sa mga susunod na taon," she said.

On Monday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered PhilHealth to suspend the increase of premium rate and income ceiling for 2023.

The scheduled increase is based on the Universal Healthcare Law, which mandated hikes in the PhilHealth contribution rate until it reaches five percent by 2024.

If one earns P10,000 monthly, his or her P400 contribution will increase to P450. The contribution is divided between the employer and the employee.—LDF, GMA Integrated News