Deferment sought on hike of PhilHealth premium rate

THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) yesterday called on President Marcos and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to defer the increase in the agency’s premium rate hike for this year, citing as reason the financial burden faced by Filipinos.

PhilHealth premium rates are set to go up to 5 percent. Under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, there is an annual 0.5 percent hike in the PhilHealth premium rate from 2020 (3%) to 2024 (5%).

Last week, PhilHealth said it has started to impose the 5 percent premium contribution rate for 2024, as provided under the UHC Law, due to the absence of an order from President Marcos to suspend or defer the premium rate hike.

In January 2023, Malacañang ordered the deferment of the premium rate increase of PhilHealth, which would have upped the member contributions from 4 percent in 2022 to 4.5 percent in 2023.

“We are appealing to President Marcos Jr to once again consider and defer the increase in the premium rate of PhilHealth similar to what he did in 2023,” said FFW.

The labor group said they are making the appeal owing to the difficulties faced by workers due to the high cost of living.

Add to this, they said, is the meager income provided to workers and the continued failure of government to provide adequate salary increases.

“Workers are still lobbying Congress for the proposed legislated P150 daily wage increase across the board. Additionally, they face recent hikes in contributions to Pag-IBIG, LRT fare increases, food price hikes, and rising water prices,” said FFW.

“Amid these economic challenges, an increase in PhilHealth premiums would add to the burden of Filipino workers,” it added.