Hontiveros calls on PhilHealth, DOH to conduct IRR review of UHC Law

Hontiveros urged PhilHealth and DOH to conduct consultations with OFWs who are some of the most vulnerable sectors affected by the global pandemic.   (File Photo: Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook)

After Malacanang’s directive making premium payments for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) voluntary, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Department of Health (DOH) to also review its implementing rules and regulations or IRR for the Universal Healthcare Law (Republic Act No. 11223).

“PhilHealth and DOH should immediately reassess and amend the IRR in close consultation with OFWs,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Tuesday, citing economic hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Kailangan maging sensitibo ang pag-implement ng batas sa hinaing ng mga OFWs ngayong may COVID-19 pandemic,” she added.  

On Nov. 23, 2019, PhilHealth Circular No. 2019-0009 published that in 2020, the rate for Direct Contributors, in which OFWs are included, would increase the premium rate from 2.75% of monthly salaries to 3% under the UHCL. Concerns regarding the said measure’s guidelines were highlighted over the weekend.

Consultation with OFWs

Hontiveros urged PhilHealth and DOH to conduct consultations with OFWs who are some of the most vulnerable sectors affected by the global pandemic.  

“Ang dagdag na 3% ay napakalaking pasan, lalo pa at may kinakaharap tayong krisis ngayon. Marami sa ating mga OFWs at kanilang pamilya ay kabilang sa mahihirap at bulnerableng sektor bago pa man ang krisis sa COVID-19,” she urged. 

“Dapat magkaroon ng sapat na konsultasyon sa kanila. Dapat may kinatawan sa bawat uri ng overseas work kasi hindi naman pare-pareho ang sitwasyon nila. At dapat isama sila sa pag-dedesisyon ng panukalang ito,” she also recommended.

UHC Oversight Committee

The Senator also called for the convening of the oversight committee on the Universal Healthcare Law.

“We should be grateful for the concerns aired by our OFWs,” said the Senator. She added that Congress has an oversight function over the implementation of the law. 

“This should not stop us from pursuing better implementation of this landmark law. These are birth pains that need to be addressed to benefit everybody,”she also said. 

In addition, the senator also called for a review of the current benefits package and delivery provided by PhilHealth especially to OFWs.  

‘We cannot abandon universal healthcare’

“We cannot abandon universal healthcare,” Hontiveros declared. “It is an essential piece of legislation that, at the end of the day, if implemented properly, will provide healthcare to all Filipinos,” she added. 

“Kasama sa batas ang pagsasaayos ng ating sistemang pangkalusugan, mga dagdag-benepisyo sa lahat ng Pilipino, at masiguradong mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng bawat isa, mahirap man o mayaman,” Hontiveros explained.  

The senator said that the principle behind the UHCL is one that could help millions of Filipinos in the long term, adding that its proper implementation is paramount. “But its implementation should be reviewed properly for the benefit of all concerned,” she concluded.