House approves bill to amend Universal Health Care Act

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 11357, a measure aimed at amending the Universal Health Care Act to strengthen the Philippine healthcare system.

The bill garnered 191 affirmative votes, with only three House members voting against it and no abstentions.

Authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other leaders, HB 11357 seeks to enhance efficiency, equity, and resilience in the healthcare system, incorporating lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key provisions include setting PhilHealth premium contribution rates at 3.5 percent, adjusted annually based on actuarial studies reviewed by an independent body and approved by Congress.

Migrant workers will no longer pay premiums, with their employers shouldering 50 percent and the national government the remainder.

The bill also prohibits the transfer of PhilHealth reserve funds to the national government, caps administrative expenses at 7.5 percent, and allows public-private partnerships for PhilHealth benefit provision.

It proposes the establishment of the Universal Health Care Coordinating Council to oversee UHC Act implementation and strengthens the Health Technology Assessment process and Electronic National Health Records System.