Pacquiao wants PhilHealth premium rate hike exemption for health workers
Senator Manny Pacquiao wants health workers to be exempted from the increase of the PhilHealth premium rate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pacquiao aims the suspension of the increase in PhilHealth premium contributions of the health sector for one year. The lawmaker filed Senate Resolution No. 429 to realize this aim that would serve as a token of gratitude to all the health workers who have been sacrificing since day 1 of the pandemic.
Based on the report from GMA News Online, the resolution stated: “The first year of the implementation of the increased rate of premium contributions coincided with the advent and continuation of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.”
Pacquiao also pointed out that the income of healthcare professional or those who are in the medical field was also affected by the crisis brought by the new coronavirus in the country. To some, it even reached to the point that they have to close their clinics.
“Such a suspension may help these frontliners in a small way, but the recognition and expression of gratitude will go a little farther to support them moving forward,” the boxer-turned-politician said.
Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Law mandated the gradual increase in premium rates from 2.75% in 2019 to 5% in 2024 for the enrollment in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Based on the report, Philippines Medical Association Vice President Dr. Benito Atienza said that the PhilHealth premium rate which is about P1,800 a month is already considered a big amount, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic because health institutions scaled down their operations that are not related to the new coronavirus. This resulted in lesser income these past few months.
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