📷: Dr. Cyruz Tuppal | Health Workers Party-List FB
The Health Workers Partylist, represented by Dr. Cyruz Tuppal, presented its position during the Committee on Health hearing at the House of Representatives on December 10, 2025. The Committee recommended convening the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to review the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
The Partylist expressed support for reducing PhilHealth premium contributions, expanding benefits to cover 100% of hospitalization costs, and allowing voluntary membership for Overseas Filipino Workers.
However, the group raised strong concerns over proposed amendments that could lead to further privatization of public health services. They warned that provisions allowing private entities to bid for PhilHealth benefits and concession periods for investment recovery would make health care more expensive and less accessible.
The Partylist also highlighted corruption risks, citing anomalies in PhilHealth and excessive benefits for officials. They called for direct allocation of funds to public hospitals and local health facilities, as well as a 5% GDP allotment for public health to ease the burden of high out-of-pocket expenses.
“Any amendment to the UHC Law must undergo a full review of its impact on people’s access to free, adequate, and quality health care,” the Health Workers Partylist stated. “We will continue to advocate for a truly comprehensive national public health care system that serves patients and health workers alike.” (ZIA LUNA)
