VOTING 273 against three and zero abstentions, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill giving the President the power to suspend the increase in premiums of “direct contributors” of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth), members.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the principal author of House Bill (HB) No. 6772, said the suspension of the increase would result in some savings for millions of government and private sector workers, professionals, self-employed, and other Philhealth contributors who are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said daily wage earners and many employees, who comprise the majority of Philhealth members, would save at least P50 a month or P600 a year from their health insurance premium payment if the adjustment were suspended.
Those earning more will naturally save more, he said.
“Suspending the imposition of the new Philhealth premium rates will provide a much-needed relief during national emergencies or calamities and will assure Filipinos that the government is sensitive to their sentiments in this difficult time,” the Speaker and his co-authors said in filing the bill.
Under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Act, contributions will increase from 4 percent last year to 4.5 percent this year, or from the minimum monthly premium of P400 to P450.
The rate will further go up to 5 percent starting next year.
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