Zero subsidy sa PhilHealth: UNFAIR, ILLEGAL, POTENTIALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL!

Denying PhilHealth support to pay the premium contribution of the most vulnerable is to deny Filipinos our right to health.

Obligasyon ng gobyerno na bayaran ang premiums ng mga indirect contributors, kabilang ang mga mahihirap, senior citizens at PWDs. Kapag inabandona ito ng gobyerno, ang papasan dito ay ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan na buwan-buwan kinakaltasan ng PhilHealth.

That’s why this “zero subsidy” is unfair, illegal, and potentially unconstitutional. Paano na lang ang mga kababayang hindi makakapagbayad ng kanilang premium contribution? Malaking dagok ito sa mithiin nating magkaroon ng universal healthcare sa bansa.

The PhilHealth charter, the Sin Tax Law and the UHC Act mandate that portions of certain taxes go to the state health insurer. Kahit pa may “excess o reserve funds” kuno ang PhilHealth, may mga batas na nagsasabing kailangan ito pondohan.

It is ironic that PhilHealth gets zero subsidy on the eve of International Universal Health Coverage Day, especially when the UN makes it clear that health is the government’s responsibility.

Let us stand together to defend the the rights and interests of every Filipino to affordable quality healthcare.