MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Tuesday said it is one with President Rodrigo Duterte in his effort to ease the burden on many Filipinos affected by the pandemic.
"In response to his directive, PhilHealth will still collect premiums from Direct Contributors using the 3 percent instead of the 3.5 percent contributions rate; and the PHP60,000 instead of the PHP70,000 ceiling in CY 2020," the state insurer said in a statement.
In a public address late Monday night, Duterte told PhilHealth CEO and president Dante Gierran to suspend the contribution hike this year.
PhilHealth noted that the interim arrangement will be good until Congress can pass a new law allowing the deferment of the scheduled premium adjustment in the Universal Health Care Act of 2019.
"Should there be no new legislation passed for this purpose, the state health insurer will proceed with the scheduled premium rate and ceiling as provided for in the UHC (Universal Health Care) law. Cognizant of the fortuitous situation that ravaged so many lives and derailed the economy, PhilHealth will do its part in alleviating the lives of Filipinos especially insofar as their health is concerned," it said.
It also assured the public of its commitment to "closely work with both houses of Congress for the most viable whole of government and whole of nation solution pursuant to existing laws". (PNA)
