Review of PhilHealth contribution hike still ongoing, says Palace

The PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) Caloocan. Photo was taken in December 2021. (File photo from the PhilHealth website)

MANILA, Philippines — The Palace is still reviewing the impending increase of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) members’ contribution.

In a message to reporters, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that the PhilHealth contribution hike must be proportionate to its services.

READ: Palace didn’t object to hike in premium, says PhilHealth chief

“The review is still ongoing. The president wants to ensure that any increase in premium will substantially be much more in value in terms of benefits and coverage to PhilHealth members,” Garafil said in a message to reporters.

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In January, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa appealed to Marcos to reconsider the contribution hike.

READ: Marcos wants PhilHealth to prove bigger contributions mean more benefits

“I’ll see. I’ll tell them: Okay, if you’re going to increase it, show the other side of that. What will be the increase in services? What will be able to cover? What more will you be able to cover?’” Marcos said previously.