Lawmakers Decide to Give Zero Subsidy to PhilHealth in 2025
PHILHEALTH – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. confirmed that it will write a letter to Pres. Bongbong Marcos over the lack of subsidy.
Countless Filipinos were undeniably shocked when Senator Grace Poe announced that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will be denied of a subsidy in 2025. The said announcement was met with several other reactions from the public with some people supporting the move and others opposing it citing health concerns.
According to Sen. Grace Poe, PhilHealth will be given a zero budget and they must use their reserve funds. The Senator claimed that the state health insurer has around P600 billion reserve funds kept in a bank account.
Furthermore, the lawmaker claimed that the Philippine government is losing with regards to the huge reserve funds of PhilHealth which allegedly earns very small. While the state health insurare will be given zero subsidy next year, their operating budget remains. They will still be given the fund for the operations as confirmed by Poe.
Following the decision of the lawmakers, PhilHealth has broken its silence on the zero subsidy for the institution in 2025. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the state health insurer said it will write a letter to Pres. Bongbong Marcos regarding the denial of a subsidy in 2025.
Dr. Israel Francis Pargas, the spokesperson of PhilHealth, expressed their hope that Pres. Bongbong Marcos will take the time to study the impact of a zero subsidy for the state health insurer with regards to the premiuns of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the poor, and the senior citizens.
While it intends to write a letter to Pres. Bongbong Marcos, the state health insurer assured that their funds can handle the members’ benefits and the cost of the institution’s operation. Based on the report, the health insurance provider is ready to adapt to the adjustments needed.
“Of course, we will have to adjust, but we will adapt,” Pargas said.
Based on the report, the PhilHealth Spokesperson also assured the members of the continuous pursuit of the institution to provide members’ benefits and expand the services offered. However, amid the state health insurer justifying its side, there are currently a lot of questions over its spending.
On social media, several netizens have questioned the alleged P138 million spending of PhilHealth for its Christmas Party and its 30th Anniversary celebration.