A CONGRESSMAN last week filed a resolution urging state-controlled Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to increase by 30% all its benefit packages and coverage amid its transfer of P89.9 billion in unused funds to the National Government.
Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee in House Resolution No. 1900 asked PhilHealth to increase its benefits and adding health packages, including diagnostic and laboratory tests,
PhilHealth has enough money to provide these he said in a separate statement on Sunday, citing its excess funds.
“PhilHealth shall serve as the national healthcare provider and not as an investment powerhouse,” he said in a statement. “It is mandated and obliged to utilize most of the funds to increase the program’s benefits and decrease the amount of members’ contributions.”
“It is best for the interest of the beneficiaries and contributors of the National Health Insurance Program to increase all benefit packages and coverage of PhilHealth to ultimately lower the out-of pocket costs of Filipinos for their healthcare needs,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
