DOF: Universal health care a go despite PhilHealth mess

There’s no stopping the Duterte administration from rolling out the universal health care program for all Filipinos amid the alleged massive corruption in state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“We are fully committed to implement the Universal Health Care Act,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, President Duterte’s chief economic manager, told legislators during last Friday’s hearing on the proposed P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget.

This, despite warnings from PhilHealth, which said funds were dwindling and could dry up by late next year or early 2022 as it grapples with funding COVID-19 cases. Aside from implementing the national health insurance program, Philhealth was also tasked to roll out the universal health care under a law signed by President Duterte last year.

Asked how this problem could be addressed, Dominguez replied: “While funding is a key component, improvements in their financial planning and control as well as actuarial systems are fundamental to the achievement of this goal. These will help plug all leakages so as to allow the funds from members’ premiums and the taxpayers to be utilized properly.”—BEN O. DE VERA INQ