6 things wrong with PhilHealth premiums: officials speak out

  MANILA – Philippine senators and officials on Monday (May 4) weighed in on the controversial circular by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on premium payments by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). PhilHealth has drawn flak from OFWs after publishing the circular on increases in premium payments that it said was an implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law that mandated the higher premium payment for OFWs. PhilHealth’s circular in April sparked an online petition that garnered more than 300,000 signatures on Change.org. In the petition, OFWs urged the government health agency to repeal the PhilHealth rule. On Monday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte stepped in and directed PhilHealth to make the payment of premiums voluntary for OFWs, which means PhilHealth can not impose mandatory payments on OFWs. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Health Secretary Francisco Duque has also suspended a rule in the UHC law that increases OFWs’ mandatory contribution. Here are 6 things wrong with PhilHealth’s demand for premium payments, according to Philippine officials:

1. PhilHealth made latest move without consultations

It appears that PhilHealth’s circular was issued without prior consultations with other government agencies. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque confirmed on Monday (May 4) that he was not consulted when PhilHealth drafted its implementing rule and regulations (IRR) citing the mandatory increase in payment premiums. Roque also explained that the increase in PhilHealth’s premium contribution is not in the Philippine law, but is only part of PhilHealth’s rules. “It’s not in the law that OFWs should pay additional premium. That is found in the IRR for everybody’s information,” Roque clarified. Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros called for an immediate review of the IRR. She said the review should be done by PhilHealth, together with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), in close consultation with OFWs. “The guidelines should take into consideration the economic plight of overseas Filipino workers, (especially in this time of) Covid-19,” Hontiveros said.

2. Wrong implementation of Universal Health Care law

A senator said the Philippine UHC law was “not envisioned to be an additional burden” to Filipinos, making PhilHealth’s move appear to be a wrong implementation of the law approved last year. Senator Joel Villanueva said: “We supported the Universal Health Care Law because we want health coverage for all Filipinos… we want better and more benefits for our Filipino kababayans who are often crippled with devastating financial burdens in case of sickness. The UHC was not envisioned in any way to be an additional burden for our citizens, but as a shared goal to achieving universal healthcare for all.” Villanueva said that while the implementing rules and regulation of the UHC mandates the higher premium payment for OFWs, “common sense dictates PhilHealth should cancel/postpone premium rate hikes at this point in time”.

3. Forcing PhilHealth payment through OEC illegal

No PhilHealth payment, no Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)? This is illegal and PhilHealth can’t impose this rule, according to Presidential Spokesman Roque, echoing similar sentiments by Philippine officials in an earlier interview with Expatmedia.net. On Monday, Roque said OFWs who do not pay their PhilHealth premium contributions will still receive their benefits and will be issued an OEC allowing them to travel out of the Philippines. Roque clarified that Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will not require OFWs to pay PhilHealth contribution before being issued an OEC. “It’s stated in the law we pushed for that if OFWs fail to pay their premiums, it won’t be a reason for them to lose their benefits. So, whatever happens, the state will take care of them because it is part of the obligation of the state to provide Filipinos with quality health services,” Roque said in Filipino.

4. No clear information drive on benefits for OFWs

Part of PhilHealth’s misstep in announcing the increase in premiums is its lack of clear information for OFWs who were the target of the latest circular. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged the state insurer to strengthen its information drive for Filipinos to better understand where their contributions are going, and the extent of benefits they get for themselves and their families. “Explain the benefits of being a PhilHealth member and compare the cost of premium payments to the total value of benefits for OFW members and their family. Identify what new benefits will be included following the increase in premium payments,” Go said in an open message to PhilHealth.

5. Wrong timing

Senator Sonny Angara said the timing for the implementation of higher premium contributions is “very unfortunate given the economic crisis worldwide”. “At a time when people are losing jobs or taking pay cuts and business is suffering in general, we should think of alternative ways to fund PhilHealth,”Angara said. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also called for a moratorium on the collection of the hiked contributions, saying its implementation is “ill-timed”. “It is not unknown that our OFWs are one of the most affected sectors of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the spirit of compassion, the government should not find it hard to impose a moratorium on the increase of this contribution,” he said, pointing out that UHC has other sources of funding besides PhilHealth membership contribution.

6. Wrong target of OFWs and OFWs in distress

Senator Go criticized PhilHeath’s circular including distressed Overseas Filipinos in the payment of premiums. Go said PhilHealth should be considerate during this time when so many OFWs have been repatriated and have lost their jobs. “I appeal to PhilHealth to amend its circular including Overseas Filipinos in distress to pay PhilHealth contributions. If possible, do not include repatriated OFWs and those badly affected by the coronavirus crisis,” Go said. ICA/Expat Media https://www.expatmedia.net/duterte-stops-philhealth-imposing-mandatory-ofw-premiums/2020/05/ https://www.expatmedia.net/philhealth-cant-force-ofws-pay-premium-no-effect-oec-filipinos-uae-worldwide/2020/05/
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