SC asks Aquino, execs to explain Philhealth premium hike

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The Supreme Court won't issue a TRO, but has directed President Benigno Aquino III and Philhealth officials to explain the increase in members' payments

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) from low-income brackets will have to wait for any possible temporary break from increased premium payments.

The Supreme Court (SC) en banc, in an order dated Tuesday, February 11, deferred action on a labor group’s motion to impose a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Philhealth contributions hike. (READ: Stop ‘unreasonable’ Philhealth premium hike, SC told)

The High Court instead required the Philhealth, along with the other respondents in the petition, to issue a response-comment. President Benigno Aquino III is among the respondents in the petition filed by militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

The petition sought to annul the increase in contributions of Philhealth.

Under the new scheme, the lowest monthly premium for members with a salary range of P8,999.99 and below increased from P100 to P200.

“Indeed, the earnings intended for food requirement and other basic needs of the petitioners would be reduced as it would be utilized for the purpose of defraying the amount needed for the Philhealth Contributions Increase,” read KMU’s petition.

The coverage of the hike included premium-paying members who are land-based overseas Filipino workers and members whose salary was lower than P8,999.99.

KMU said this scheme was “unreasonable and inequitable” due to its selective coverage. The increase, the group said, did not involve those whose salary ranged from P8,999.99 and above.

Malacañang’s defense

Malacañang earlier said there is a need to raise the Philhealth premiums of salaried members to ensure a sustainable “social protection program” for those who cannot afford to pay their own health insurance.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the increase, in fact, only amounts to more than P3 a day.

He added that the hike will not affect “sponsored” members whose premiums are fully subsidized by the state.

The petitioner before the High Court, however, said the scheme simply hides behind the cloak of social equity.

“It is disgusting that Philhealth has been presenting its extortion of members’ hard-earned money as a form of charity to less affluent Filipinos,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog in a statement.

“There is no need to expand Philhealth’s services and improve its services if the Aquino government has been providing accessible health care,” Labog said. – Rappler.com

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