In a recent move, the Department of Finance (DOF) issued a department circular directing government owned and controlled corporations to transmit surplus funds towards unprogrammed funds. This includes the remittance of P89.9B from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
With the discussion of unutilized finances, needs assessment and programs review should also be brought up. While there currently is unused funds in Philhealth, Filipino patients continue to struggle with high out-of-pocket expenditures due to costly tests and medicines, and limited benefits and coverage. Public hospitals still shoulder the remaining hospitalization costs not covered by the fixed case rate reimbursements of Philhealth.
Accredited private health facilities on the other hand have reported unpaid reimbursement claims.
Hence, we see that there is an excess of funds not because patients’ health needs are already being met but because of budget mismanagement.
Despite the irregularities, excess Philhealth funds is being siphoned towards an even more questionable budget. Unprogramed funds refer to those “outside the approved government fiscal program, which serve as an important tool for the government to address unforeseen expenditures and prioritize essential programs and projects”.
The mere presence of this unitemized budget lump sum raises question on how public money will be spent since this will be arbitrary to the Office holding that budget.
Amidst clamor of health advocates, the DOF justifies this dangerous precedent stating that the unprogrammed funds was used for the provision of the COVID-19 Health Emergency Allowance for health workers. In addition, DOF names projects like the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project and Community-Based Monitoring System of the Philippine Statistics Authority as other recipients.
However, Health Workers Partylist stands firm on our opposition. If we are to prioritize people’s health and wellbeing, the health budget should be maximized for programs to ensure these priorities and not taken away for questionable purposes.
Furthermore, in its thrusts for economic well-being and general welfare of all health workers, responsive and relevant healthcare system, and good governance, Health Workers Partylist calls for ensuring adequate public health spending directly to hospitals, health facilities & units, and communities. As always, we are one with our patients and fellow health workers in advocating for a robust health system wherein Filipinos’ health is always accounted for. (PR)
