PhilHealth chief can’t delay UHC implementation: Palace

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. during a press conference at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on January 4, 2018. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales has no authority to delay the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Morales would commit a criminal act if he insists on postponing the full implementation of the law.

“This is a law that has to be implemented. It is not his (Morales) discretion to implement it or not. If he does, then he commits a criminal act. In fact, he will not just be removed. It is a criminal act. He can be prosecuted because you cannot violate a law passed by Congress,” Roque said.

Roque issued the statement after he earlier said enacting a new law would be the only way to defer the full implementation of RA 11223.

On June 16, Morales sought the delayed implementation of UHC law due to the depleting budget of the state health insurer.

Morales stressed the need for a “general delay” of UHC implementation as he said PhilHealth is expected to lose around PHP40.7 billion from February this year until January next year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Roque, however, said Morales cannot decide on the fate of the UHC Act.

“This is a matter that even the PhilHealth president cannot decide on his own because it is the law,” he said.

Morales, in an interview with ANC last week, said the full implementation of UHC law may happen in mid-2021.

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte and the lawmakers would make a way to fund the implementation of RA 11223, in case Morales asks for additional funding for its implementation.

“If he (Morales) needs additional funds, say it so because the legislators will consider it. And if need be, the President will certify the need for further funding as urgent so that Congress can act on it,” he said.

The UHC Act signed by Duterte on Feb. 20, 2019, aims to protect and promote Filipinos’ right to health by automatically enrolling them in the government’s health insurance program.