PhilHealth fund use questioned
A FORMER adviser of the Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday urged legislators to investigate the state-owned health insurer for allegedly failing to use excess funds to boost the benefits of its members and reduce their annual contributions.
The Finance department has issued a circular allowing the unused funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) worth P89.9 billion to be classified as unprogrammed appropriations.
Antonio C. Leachon, a former Health special adviser, in a statement noted that under the Universal Health Care law, excess PhilHealth reserves should be used to increase benefits and cut contributions.
PhilHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eli Dino D. Santos did not immediately reply to a text message seeking comment.
Mr. Leachon said the excess PhilHealth funds that should be classified as unprogrammed funds include taxes on tobacco, vapes, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages that have been earmarked for health programs. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza