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MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to suspend the increase in contributions from its members this year, saying the government would seek funding to cover the planned increase.
“May I suggest to PhilHealth President Dante Gierran, not now. No increase in contributions. I will find the money to fill it. We will look for money, ”Duterte said, speaking in part in Filipino, during his weekly pre-recorded briefing on the coronavirus pandemic.
“Anyway, that’s the government’s job: to make things easier for everyone at this point in our lives,” he added.
Implementing the PhilHealth Member Contribution Increase is mandated under the Universal Health Care Act. This year, the premium rate for PhilHealth members will increase from the previous 3 percent to 3.5 percent of their monthly base salary.
The planned increase was met with fierce opposition with corruption allegations that still plague the state insurer and with millions of people still dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
The UHC law requires an increase in premiums for members by 0.5 each year, beginning in 2021 until it reaches the 5 percent limit in 2025.
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