The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed support for the approval of House Bill 11357, also known as the “Act Strengthening the Philippine Healthcare System to Achieve Efficiency and Equity, and to Improve Public Health Emergency Preparedness.” The bill passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Authored and sponsored by House Health Committee chairman Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr., along with 67 other legislators, the measure aims to enhance healthcare services across the country.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa highlighted the significance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s leadership in pushing for improvements to the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, given his experience as a former provincial governor. “His broad national perspective rooted in local government implementation is what inspires the DOH as we actively support both the House of Representatives and the Senate in improving our UHC Act,” Herbosa stated.
Key amendments introduced by House Appropriations Panel acting chairman and Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo were accepted by the majority. Among the changes is the adjustment of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) premium contribution rate from 5 percent to 3.5 percent, with future increases determined annually based on actuarial studies reviewed by an independent body approved by Congress.
Migrant workers, both land- and sea-based, will no longer be required to pay premiums. Instead, their employers will cover 50 percent of the cost, while the national government will fund the remaining portion.
Another amendment sets a cap on the salaries of PhilHealth officials and employees at 7.5 percent of the previous year’s total benefit payments, replacing the previous limit of 7.5 percent of premium collections.
Additionally, component cities and municipalities will manage their own special health funds under guidelines developed by the DOH in collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management and the UHC Coordinating Council.
The UHC Coordinating Council, co-chaired by the health and interior and local government secretaries, will oversee efforts to accelerate the implementation of universal healthcare at both national and local levels.
