đź“·Health workers staged a demonstration in front of the Supreme Court while there were ongoing oral arguments concerning the transfer of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury. | Health Workers Party-list Facebook page
Health Workers PartyList joins other health organizations, health advocates and community organizations today in another organized action in front of the Supreme Court on the third day of the oral arguments regarding the transfer of PhilHealth funds. The PartyList appeals to the High Court justices to declare the transfer illegal and unconstitutional.
Health Workers Party-List concurs with Associate Justice Lazaro-Javier’s line of reasoning over the transfer of PhilHealth funds during the February 25 second oral arguments. PhilHealth funds should not be used for any another purpose.
PhilHealth’s program reserve funds refer to the portion of money not needed for the current year’s expenditures. These liabilities cover the unpaid claims of hospitals, doctors, and members.
The Philippines still has much to cover when it comes to hospitalization costs of patients given that out-of-pocket spending amounts to 44.4% of the 2023 percent distribution of health expenditure.
Contrary to the Department of Finance’s views, the inefficient fund utilization of PhilHealth should not be tagged as having excess funds. A thorough financial review and assessment must be done to address this. Actual excess funds, if ever verified, must instead be marked as part of the corporation’s reserve funds. These should be used to fund the increase in program benefits and decrease in the amount of members’ contributions. Further excesses must be placed in an investment reserve fund as provided for by law.
The Health Workers Party-List believes that health laws and policies should serve the interests of the Filipino majority, and not the business and corrupt interests of the few. PhilHealth funds should not be used for pork barrel projects.
The poor majority have suffered long enough from government neglect and misprioritization. We health workers and the rest of the Filipinos should not allow this unjust transfer which further takes away the very meager health services provided by the government to the people.
Health Workers PartyList will continue to work with the Filipino people towards state-funded, free, comprehensive, and quality public health services. #
