Senator JV Ejercito: Prioritize Lowering PhilHealth Premium Rates

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MANILA, Philippines — Senator JV Ejercito has called on the country's economic managers and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to focus on reducing premium contribution rates and meeting all obligations to members before considering the return of the excess P90 billion health subsidy to the national treasury.


In a press conference on Wednesday, Ejercito emphasized the importance of lowering premium rates and increasing benefit packages if there are surplus funds, as mandated by law.


“It’s also in the law—if there is an excess fund, let’s first lower the premium rates and increase the benefit packages,” Ejercito stated.


Need for Clear Guidelines


The senator pointed out that PhilHealth currently lacks clear guidelines on what constitutes excess funds. He suggested that this issue needs to be debated, adding, “What are excess funds? What are reserved funds? But for me, we can also say that it can be considered an excess fund after all the obligations have been met.”


Understanding Economic Managers' Position


Ejercito acknowledged the economic managers' stance, noting the need for funding various government programs and projects that promote economic growth. “You can’t blame the economic managers either because there are a lot of programs and a lot of projects that need to be funded. Those that stimulate economic growth, the government is also looking for revenues and funds to fund their programs, so you can’t blame them either,” he said.


PhilHealth’s Commitment


PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. announced plans to recommend reducing premium contribution rates to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. During a Senate committee on health hearing, Ledesma assured that the recommendation process would be expedited, especially following Senator Bong Go's inquiry about the potential rate reduction.


“Especially after this very nice hearing that just happened. We will do it immediately as early as this afternoon. I will convene our team and we will recommend a reduction in the premium contribution rates to President Marcos, immediately,” Ledesma stated.


As the discussion continues, Ejercito remains steadfast in prioritizing the reduction of premium rates and enhancement of benefit packages to better serve PhilHealth members while also addressing the financial requirements of government programs.

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