PhilHealth: Anniversary budget now only a 'few hundred thousand pesos' | ABS-CBN
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PhilHealth: Anniversary budget now only a 'few hundred thousand pesos'
PhilHealth office. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
PhilHealth office. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — From a whopping P138 million, PhilHealth’s budget for its 30th anniversary has been reduced to just a “few hundred thousand pesos”.
MANILA — From a whopping P138 million, PhilHealth’s budget for its 30th anniversary has been reduced to just a “few hundred thousand pesos”.
This was the announcement of Philhealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr during Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography after Senators criticized the original budget for the event.
This was the announcement of Philhealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr during Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography after Senators criticized the original budget for the event.
"We are only planning to spend a few hundred thousand pesos. Walang excessive spending,” Ledesma said.
"We are only planning to spend a few hundred thousand pesos. Walang excessive spending,” Ledesma said.
Senator Loren Legarda directed Philhealth to submit a report to the Committee on how the amount ballooned to P138 million.
Senator Loren Legarda directed Philhealth to submit a report to the Committee on how the amount ballooned to P138 million.
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Committee Chair Senator Bong Go criticized the state-run health insurer.
Committee Chair Senator Bong Go criticized the state-run health insurer.
“Gagastos ng mahigit isandaang milyon. Kawawa naman ang Pilipino. Makonsensiya naman kayo,” Go said.
“Gagastos ng mahigit isandaang milyon. Kawawa naman ang Pilipino. Makonsensiya naman kayo,” Go said.
ZERO SUBSIDY
Ledesma, meanwhile, assured anew that Philhealth’s operations will not be affected by the zero subsidy approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee in its final version of the 2025 budget.
Ledesma, meanwhile, assured anew that Philhealth’s operations will not be affected by the zero subsidy approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee in its final version of the 2025 budget.
“Allow me to assure everyone that Philhealth will continue to pay for the health benefits of all Filipinos with or without government subsidy. It is our goal to finance the best care and benefits available,” Ledesma said in a video played during the hearing.
“Allow me to assure everyone that Philhealth will continue to pay for the health benefits of all Filipinos with or without government subsidy. It is our goal to finance the best care and benefits available,” Ledesma said in a video played during the hearing.
“The decision of the Bicameral Conference Committee reflects its wisdom. The Bicam understands PhilHealth's capacity to continue managing the National Health Insurance Program given its surplus funds,” he added.
“The decision of the Bicameral Conference Committee reflects its wisdom. The Bicam understands PhilHealth's capacity to continue managing the National Health Insurance Program given its surplus funds,” he added.
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According to Ledesma, their financial position is stable.
According to Ledesma, their financial position is stable.
“Our financial position is strong and sufficient to sustain our operations with a total of 281 billion in reserves and 150 billion pesos in surplus funds as of October 2024. On the other hand, our investment portfolio as of November 2024 already reached P489 billion,” Ledesma explained.
“Our financial position is strong and sufficient to sustain our operations with a total of 281 billion in reserves and 150 billion pesos in surplus funds as of October 2024. On the other hand, our investment portfolio as of November 2024 already reached P489 billion,” Ledesma explained.
Philhealth also committed to increase its benefit packages for the top 10 mortality cases including heart, diabetes, respiratory, and hypertensive diseases.
Philhealth also committed to increase its benefit packages for the top 10 mortality cases including heart, diabetes, respiratory, and hypertensive diseases.
The kidney transplantation, for one, will be increased to over P2 million from P600,000.
The kidney transplantation, for one, will be increased to over P2 million from P600,000.
There will also be an additional 50% increase in case rate coverages before 2024 ends, which is on top of the 30% increase implemented back in February.
There will also be an additional 50% increase in case rate coverages before 2024 ends, which is on top of the 30% increase implemented back in February.
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Despite the expected increase, Go criticized Philhealth by saying that it would not have had unused funds if it only implemented the 80% increase in February.
Despite the expected increase, Go criticized Philhealth by saying that it would not have had unused funds if it only implemented the 80% increase in February.
It can be recalled that P89.9 billion in unused funds of Philhealth was ordered reverted to the National Treasury.
It can be recalled that P89.9 billion in unused funds of Philhealth was ordered reverted to the National Treasury.
Despite this and Philhealth’s excessive funds, Go does not agree with the zero subsidy.
Despite this and Philhealth’s excessive funds, Go does not agree with the zero subsidy.
“I did not sign the bicam report containing such provision,” Go said. “I do not agree we should completely defund subsidy for Phihealth. This is unacceptable and anti-poor.”
“I did not sign the bicam report containing such provision,” Go said. “I do not agree we should completely defund subsidy for Phihealth. This is unacceptable and anti-poor.”
Around P37.5 million worth of collaterals for the 30th-anniversary celebration of state health insurer PhilHealth this February were disapproved by the PhilHealth Board.
Around P37.5 million worth of collaterals for the 30th-anniversary celebration of state health insurer PhilHealth this February were disapproved by the PhilHealth Board.
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