Marcos studying Herbosa’s request
BY GERARD NAVAL and JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
HEALTH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa yesterday said he asked President Marcos Jr. to consider deferring an increase in the premium rate of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid high prices of basic commodities and services.
Herbosa, chair of the PhilHealth board, said the suspension would not affect the mandate of the agency or benefits and services it is providing to its members.
Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the President “is studying the request.”
Herbosa’s statement comes days after PhilHealth announced it has started to implement the scheduled 5 percent premium rate for 2024 as provided under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
Under the UHC Law, there is a gradual increase in premium rate from 2.75 percent in 2019, 3 percent in 2020, 3.5 percent in 2021, 4 percent in 2022, 4.5 percent in 2023, and 5 percent in 2024.
However, the President last year ordered the suspension of the premium rate increase for 2023, citing as reason “socioeconomic challenges” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the suspension, the 4 percent premium rate was maintained.
Herbosa, in a media forum, expressed belief the increase “can remain suspended.”
He said it is ill-timed considering the high prices of basic commodities and services.
“Prices are soaring right now. So, is it the right time (to increase)?” he said.
Herbosa also said PhilHealth has a good financial standing and would not need the fee increase to provide benefits to its members.
“PhilHealth has enough money to actually continue to give benefits. It will not be hurt by delaying the increase in premium,” he said.
PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma, was asked in a press conference on Friday what the effects of another suspension will be. He said, “I don’t think that anything will be affected, all the plans will push through as expected.”
Yesterday, Ledesma said the state-run health insurer is merely implementing provisions of the UHC law when it increased the rate.
“PhilHealth is bound by law to proceed with implementation. Otherwise, it will be remiss in its duty to the Filipino people that the law intends to serve and benefit,” he said in a phone interview.
He added, “We fully respect the view of our secretary of Health on the implementation of contribution adjustment this year. PhilHealth will respect and fully comply with the final decision and directive of the President on the matter.”
Herbosa said government will push through with the increase in premium rate this year, it should be at 4.5 percent instead of 5 percent.
“If you lift the suspension, you have to continue from the time it was suspended. You suspended at 4 percent… So it should be at 4.5 percent,” he said.
Herbosa also said he will raise the matter with the PhilHealth board.
The health secretary is ex-officio chairman of the PhilHealth Board of Directors.
