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Return unused PhilHealth funds
By J.Lo
“President Marcos should immediately issue directive to return entirety P89.9 billion in unused funds to PhilHealth, to be used for individual health care needs of the poor,” more than 35 medical groups are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to order return of full amount of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)’s unused funds so it can be used for health needs of indigents.
Philippine Medical Association said Marcos should institute measures to ensure immediate enhancement of health benefits and form independent agency to do this, if necessary.
In April, Department of Finance (DOF) released circular mandating government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to remit their excess funds to the national coffers.
DOF ordered PhilHealth to remit P89.9 billion in excess funds to unprogrammed appropriations of General Appropriations Act.
Doctors from Asia Pacific Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare and Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) expressed alarm over possible impact of transfer of fund, intended for delivery of health services, especially to poor PhilHealth members.
They said transfer of unused PhilHealth funds is against Section 11 of Republic Act 11223, or Universal Health Care Act, and is tantamount to taking away people’s money.
Law states excess in PhilHealth reserve funds should be used to increase program’s benefits and decrease amount of members’ contributions.
It said no portion of reserve fund or income should accrue to general fund of national government, or to any of its agencies or instrumentalities, including GOCCs.
Groups said PhilHealth has underspent because it has not sufficiently expanded its benefit packages.
“There is still huge unmet need for healthcare in the Philippines,” they said in statement.
Former PCP president Maricar Limpin said they are not amenable to transfer of PhilHealth funds as it is intended to cover for hospital expenses of its sick members.
Department of Health (DOH) is supportive of groups’ concern.
“DOH agrees with civil society organizations and people who say health funds should be used for health purposes,” Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said.
He said such funds should not be invested or kept in the bank.
“As we understand it, and as stated by Department of Finance, unused government subsidy taken from PhilHealth was used to fund COVID-19 Health Emergency Allowance for our healthcare workers,” Domingo said. DOH said decision of PhilHealth board was done upon request of PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr.
It said DOH secretary is non-voting chair of the board.
Concerned groups and individuals are expected to challenge government’s move on this matter.
Meanwhile, regional offices of DOH have started distributing remaining P27 billion in health emergency allowance to public and private health facilities.
This developed after Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released to DOH notice of cash availability intended for health emergency allowance.
“DOH has received notice of cash availability from DBM… Center for Health Development ,CHD has been disbursing funds to local government units and private health facilities under its jurisdiction,” Domingo said in a Viber message.
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