PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma said he will immediately recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. the reduction of PhilHealth member contributions.
“Actually po, yes. Well, especially after this very nice hearing po that just happened, we will do it immediately po,” Ledesma told Sen. Christopher Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health which is conducting a hearing into the P9 billion unused government subsidy for PhilHealth transferred to the National Treasury.
Following disclosure by Ledesma that PhilHealth still has P500-billion chest funds reserved in cash and investments.
Go urged the lowering of premium rates, expanding its health packages and the list of free medicines and increasing the amount of PhilHealth coverage to help the poor.
“I will convene our team and we will recommend a reduction in the premium rates, contribution rates to President Marcos,” said Ledesma.
In seeking to lower Philhealth contributions, Go noted that “every peso is very important.”
He had earlier questioned Ledesma why resources meant to assist sick Filipinos were left unused and there were still out-of-pocket expenses, saying these are unacceptable.
The senator highlighted specific areas where these funds could make a life-saving difference, such as dialysis treatments, mental health services, and Z-benefit packages for severe illnesses.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo also scared Philhealth for the unutilized funds and its return to the nation’s coffer.
“Before you return the money, you should think where the funds can be used,” said Tulfo.
“This is an indication that you are incompetent and not doing your job well, you have no strategy and you are not thinking,” added Tulfo who sought for preventive care to also be included in PhilHealth health benefits.
However, Ledesma said the transfer of the P90 billion funds was legal and it did not come from Philhealth members’ contributions.
Finance Sec. Ralph Recto assured the move to sweep the idle funds of government-owned and controlled corporations’ (GOCCs) is merely adhering to Congress’ order under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and thus, the benefits and contributions of PhilHealth members will remain untouched.
