Solon assures health contribution hike will be given utmost priority

by Raadee Sausa January 16, 2021 Rep. Angelina "Helen" Tan of Quezon (Ph...

by Raadee Sausa
January 16, 2021

Rep. Angelina "Helen" Tan of Quezon (Photo from her FB account)

LUCENA CITY - A lawmaker assured the public that any proposal to defer the premium hike will be given utmost priority and cautious consideration.

Rep. Angelina "Helen" Tan of Quezon, a House Committee on Health chairperson said that the issue of whether or not to defer the implementation of the scheduled increase in PhilHealth membership contributions for 2021 should be thoroughly studied right away in light of the pros and cons of the matter.



“The Department of Health's [DOH] and PhilHealth's position that the scheduled increases in the contribution rate are needed to assure the long-term actuarial sustainability of the system and ensure enough funding for additional medical benefits and to support various reforms under the Universal Health Care Law should be carefully considered in light of the clamour from various sectors to give the public reprieve on humanitarian grounds from paying the higher premiums due to the COVID 19 pandemic,” Tan said in a statement.

She added that the increase in premiums will without doubt be an added burden to the public, many of whom are still reeling from the devastating effects of COVID-19 on their finances and livelihood.



“The proposed deferment, on the other hand, will definitely spell a great set back in the government efforts to bring health care to all Filipinos through the Implementation of the universal health care program, Tan said.

The lawmaker also emphasized that "ultimately, it should be the common good of the Filipinos that should be considered in whatever policy direction that will be taken and not simply a scheduled rate or popular demand. The health and welfare of the people should be the supreme law."



According to reports, PhilHealth's mandatory contributions have increased annually since 2020, which will be sustained until it reaches 5 percenf of monthly income or a P5,000 ceiling by 2025.