SC justice shares PhilHealth struggles amid UHC law

Supreme Court Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez shared his personal experience with PhilHealth during a hearing on the transfer of P89.9 billion in PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury, highlighting the promise of Universal Health Care (UHC) law which aims to ensure no Filipino family suffers due to illness.

Lopez revealed that despite being treated for esophageal cancer costing almost P7 million, he received only P50,000 from PhilHealth, amounting to less than 1% coverage.

PhilHealth Senior Vice President Renato Limsiaco Jr. assured Lopez that case rates had increased by 30% in February 2024 and would rise further to 18% this year, but the UHC law's potential remains unfulfilled with out-of-pocket expenses still high for Filipinos.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto defended the government's move to collect idle funds from PhilHealth, arguing that it would be better spent on healthcare projects rather than remaining unused in accounts.

Experts during the oral arguments noted that PhilHealth contributions are outpacing claims being paid, indicating underutilized benefits and a need for improved coverage.