President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given his assurance that the quality of services provided by the state health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will continue despite the looming removal of its subsidy from the government under the 2025 proposed national budget.
The President made these remarks during a chance interview with reporters on Thursday, December 19, when asked about how the zero subsidy would interrupt the services of the state insurer.
“I would like to just assure everybody, huwag niyong inaalala na mababawasan ang serbisyo kahit na kanino. Para sa senior, para sa mga mahirap, para sa middle class, walang mababawasan kahit isang kusing,” Marcos emphasized.
While acknowledging that the suspension idea was floated in the House, the President urged the public to look deeper into the matter. He stressed that regardless of any changes to premium contributions or subsidies, the government is committed to enhancing PhilHealth services and increasing payouts for insurance claims.
“In fact, baligtad, padadamihin pa namin ang serbisyong ibibigay ng PhilHealth, pararamihin — palalakihin pa namin ang pagbayad sa insurance claims,” Marcos assured.
The President’s statement comes amid growing concerns about the financial sustainability of PhilHealth and the adequacy of its benefits. The proposed premium suspension is seen as a potential relief measure for Filipinos struggling with rising costs of living.
Marcos reiterated that the government is working to improve PhilHealth’s operations and ensure that it can provide better healthcare services to all Filipinos. “Mas pinapaganda pa nga namin ang pagpatakbo ng PhilHealth para mas marami pang maibibigay sa taumbayan,” Marcos said.
Senate finance committee chair Grace Poe previously revealed that PhilHealth is set to receive no subsidy under the proposed 2025 national budget, citing the state insurer’s P600 billion in reserve funds as sufficient for its needs.
President Marcos also assured last week that PhilHealth has enough resources to maintain its services despite the planned zero subsidy. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa echoed this, noting the insurer still has a P150 billion surplus from its 2024 budget, which could cover subsidies for indirect members.
PhilHealth, for its part, reassured the public of its ability to support beneficiaries but expressed optimism that President Marcos might reconsider the zero-subsidy plan. Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH), which oversees PhilHealth, guarantees uninterrupted services.
Senator JV Ejercito has called for an oversight committee hearing to evaluate PhilHealth’s implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, pointing to possible shortcomings in the agency’s performance. (TCSP)
