Senator questions legality of PhilHealth fund transfer

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go is questioning the legality of the Department of Finance (DOF)’s order to have the P89.9 billion in excess funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. moved to the national treasury to finance this year’s unprogrammed appropriations.

“As chair of the Senate committee on health and as part of our oversight functions on the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law, I will be seeking answers from PhilHealth,
 Department of Budget and Management, DOF and Department of Health on the propriety and legality of the purported transfer of around P90 billion, representing unused government subsidy for PhilHealth, to the national treasury,” Go said.

He also questioned the state health insurer for having P89.9 billion in excess funds instead of using these to help indigent patients or to bring down the contribution rate.

The excess funds should be used to fully implement the Universal Health Care law instead of being reverted to the treasury, Go said.

“It is unacceptable that there was funding that was not used to help the PhilHealth members. Why does PhilHealth have excess funds when there are many patients in need of help?” Go said.

Medical groups opposed to the transfer of PhilHealth funds said there is a need to create an independent agency that will focus on the immediate enhancement of people’s health benefits.

At a press briefing yesterday, Dr. Antonio Dans, president of the Asia Pacific Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, called on President Marcos to make possible the establishment of an independent agency for benefit development through the issuance of a decree.

“This independent agency for benefit development can be realized through the issuance of a decree by the President. This is just one of the systemic solutions that should be discussed so that the problem of PhilHealth as a corporation can be addressed,” Dans said.

He added PhilHealth lacks the manpower to exercise such function and there is a need to consult research and academic institutions in institutionalizing such arrangement.

“Benefit development is crucial and PhilHealth lacks human resources to focus on this benefit development. It will be a continuing