Recto wants Senate probe on PhilHealth contributions

SENATOR Ralph Recto on Tuesday said he would be asking the Senate to investigate the doubling of the members’ contribution to the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp., which he said the agency planned to implement despite its huge cash reserves and generous budgetary support.

He said he would ask the Senate’s committees on government corporations and public enterprises and on health to spearhead the probe.

“As I’ve said before, the planned increase in PhilHealth contributions is unnecessary,” Recto said.

“Nevertheless, I’m still asking the proper Senate committees to look into this and invite their officials to give their side.”

In a circular, PhilHealth said the premium contributions of new members will increase to P600 quarterly from P300, or a total of P2,400 a year. The increase will cover members earning P25,000 a year based on their income tax returns.

But Recto said the increase was not justified because PhilHealth had P110 billion in retained earnings. And taxpayers would be contributing P12 billion to subsidize the health insurance firm in this year’s national budget.

“If these amounts are not enough to turn in a good service and make health care more affordable to a greater number of people, the Senate should at least have an idea of what really ails PhilHealth, whether it’s shortage of funds or loss of public service appetite,” Recto said.

“It is imperative for the officials of PhilHealth to present before this chamber its detailed financial statements, which include the total income and expenditures, and information on its retained earnings, in order to determine the need to increase the annual premium contributions.” –Manila Standard Today