PH Senators Call for PhilHealth Funds to Remain in Health System Amid SC’s TRO
In a decisive move to protect the health care system’s resources, Philippine senators have voiced strong support for a Supreme Court (SC) decision that temporarily halts the transfer of excess Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to the National Treasury. The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is crucial to ensuring that PhilHealth resources remain dedicated to public health and member benefits.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, during a recent Kapihan sa Senado media forum, commended the SC for issuing the TRO, expressing his firm belief that PhilHealth funds must directly benefit members of the health insurance program. “This TRO is a critical step forward, but we cannot stop here. I urge our counterparts in the House of Representatives to prioritize and pass their version of the proposed amendments to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act before the year ends,” Ejercito remarked.
The proposed UHC Act amendments include a clause that would prevent the realignment or transfer of PhilHealth funds to non-health-related purposes, aiming to cement the health insurer’s resources firmly within the health care sector. Under the current 2024 General Appropriations Act, however, the national government holds authority to reallocate surplus reserve funds from government-owned and controlled corporations like PhilHealth to finance other unprogrammed national budget items.
Ejercito highlighted the importance of the proposed amendments, suggesting they would lead to vital reforms in health funding. Additionally, he announced plans to initiate a Senate investigation into previous fund transfers involving PhilHealth, indicating that oversight may be necessary to enforce UHC provisions effectively.
Supporting the SC’s action, Senator Pia Cayetano stressed that the decision underscores the urgency of reassessing the legality of such fund transfers, noting their potential long-term impact on public health. “While PhilHealth has made strides in enhancing its benefit packages, significant gaps in our health care coverage still exist,” Cayetano said. “Unused funds should be effectively allocated within our health care system to address these unmet needs, rather than being redirected for purposes other than their intended use.”
Senator Christopher Lawrence Go also expressed gratitude to the SC for its responsiveness to public sentiment. He said that “PhilHealth funds should only be used for health,” aligning his stance with that of his fellow lawmakers in safeguarding the integrity of PhilHealth’s resources.
The healthcare sector has sought for a broader push to prioritize health system funding and accountability, focusing on reforms that would strengthen the country’s health care safety net in the years to come.
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