By Gabriel Kim Leal
(January 23, 2025) – A lawmaker on Thursday urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to “seriously consider” the suggestion to halt its premium collections for one year.
In a statement, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo questioned why PhilHealth continues to collect premium contributions from members despite its substantial surplus funds.
“Magkano ba dapat ang tubo ng isang social health insurance program?” said Quimbo. “Meron kang gripo na may tumutulong tubig, meron kang timba na sumasalo dun sa tubig at napuno na ang timba dahil nakabukas ang tubig, anong dapat nating gawin?”
Last December, the House of Representatives proposed a one-year moratorium on PhilHealth’s premium collections to ease the burden of Filipinos amid inflation and economic challenges. House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the suggestion was hinged on their investigation into PhilHealth’s financial stability.
The Department of Health revealed that the state health insurer ended 2024 with a surplus of P150 billion, enough to fund member subsidies through 2025.
“Ibig sabihin kahit na walang subsidy ngayong taon ay kayang kaya (ng PhilHealth),” added Quimbo, an economist, noting that by the end of 2025, the PhilHealth would still have billions in surplus.
PhilHealth was given zero subsidy in this year’s national budget, with lawmakers and Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. citing its P600 billion reserve funds. Marcos claimed that PhilHealth’s services would not be affected despite the decision.
Quimbo, a re-electionist in the 2025 midterm elections, furthered that PhilHealth’s budget, primarily sourced from sin taxes, has led to a growing pool of resources that far exceed members’ healthcare needs.
“Pasensya na lang, PhilHealth, na naku, ang dami niyong pondo pero dahil for some reason or the other, ayaw niyong gastusin o mabagal ang paggastos,” said Quimbo.
As of last May, PhilHealth has 50.3 million members, 36.8 million dependents, and 87.2 million beneficiaries.
(PM)
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