Malacañang appeals to PhilHealth to pay reimbursement claims

Dante Gierran is urged to continue to pay private hospitals as this could result in a shortage of private hospitals.

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday asked PhilHealth to pay the reimbursement claims of private hospitals as they are threatening to sever ties with the state insurer.

During the Palace briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was asked for his comment on the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines’ statement that many health facilities have decided not to renew their accreditation due to PhilHealth’s failure to reimburse.

“Naku, hindi ko na po alam kung ano ang sasabihin diyan dahil bilang nagtulak po ng Universal Health Care, ang pondo naman po na nanggagaling sa PhilHealth, iyan po ay sang-ayon sa Universal Health Care [Law] at hindi lang po iyan nanggagaling sa premiums,” he said.

(I do not know what to say over the matter because as someone who pushed for universal health care, PhilHealth’s funds are pursuant to Universal Health Care and not premiums.)

“Iyan po ay nanggagaling din sa mga buwis ng taumbayan, kasama na diyan na iyong proceeds ng sin taxes, iyong appropriation ng DOH (Department of Health) at saka iyong kita ng PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) at saka Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation),” the spokesman added.

(The funds also come from the people’s taxes, including the proceeds of sin taxes, appropriation of the DOH, and PCSO and Pagcor’s earnings.)

Roque called on PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dante Gierran to continue to pay private hospitals as this could result in a shortage of private hospitals.
“Siguro po mananawagan tayo uli kay President Gierran, paulit-ulit na pong sinasabi ni Presidente [Rodrigo Duterte] sa kanya, alam ko po ito paulit-ulit na silang nag-usap,” he said.

(Maybe we can appeal again to President Gierran, the president repeatedly tells him, I know they always talk.)

“Hayaan mo ng bayaran nang bayaran iyan, dahil sa panahon ng pandemya, talagang magkakagulo at magkakaroon ng kakulangan kung ang mga pribadong hospital ay hindi kasama sa Universal Health Care ‘no,” Roque went on.

(Just pay for it because there will be disarray and shortage if private hospitals would not be included in the Universal Health Care.)

Roque also urged private hospitals to cooperate as they provide greater services than government hospitals, stressing that universal healthcare would not be possible without them.

“So, nanawagan po ako. Uulitin ko na lang po iyong request ni Presidente Duterte kay President Gierran, bayaran at bayaran iyan, at ako po ay nakikiusap naman sa mga pribadong hospital, paulit-ulit naman po na pinapakita ni presidente ang suporta niya sa mga pribadong hospital dahil kinikilala po natin na mas maraming umaasa ngayon sa mga pribadong hospital kaysa doon sa mga numero ng pampublikong hospital,” he pleaded.

(I appeal again. I reiterate President Duterte’s request to President Gierran, pay for it, and I appeal to private hospitals. The president always shows his support for you because we acknowledge that many people depend on private hospitals rather than public hospitals.)

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