04 June, 2025
The Medical Action Group (MAG) expresses its grave concern over the potential harm that the proposed amendments to Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law under House Bill 11357 and Senate Bill 2620 may cause to the Philippine health system and to the enjoyment of the Filipino people’s right to health.
A key concern is the proposal to reduce PhilHealth premium contributions from 5% to 3.5% by 2026, even as the agency is expected to expand its benefit coverage. Reducing funding while expanding services is illogical and unsustainable. It threatens to weaken the health system and compromise the quality of care, especially for poor and marginalized Filipinos who need it most.
Adding to this crisis is the zero budget allocation for PhilHealth in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the questionable transfer of PHP 60 billion in PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. These measures severely undermine PhilHealth’s financial stability and risk its ability to fulfill its mandate of providing accessible healthcare to all, particularly to low-income members.
We warn that these amendments could undermine the core intent of the UHC Law, which is to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare. The assumption that PhilHealth has surplus funds is erroneous and misleading. As highlighted in ongoing Supreme Court deliberations, PhilHealth’s insurance liabilities already exceed its reserve fund. Proceeding with reduced premiums based on inaccurate financial assumptions puts millions of Filipinos at risk of being excluded from receiving vital health services.
Other proposed changes such as the processes for health technology assessment, service delivery models, and health information governance require rigorous study, and evidence-based evaluation through meaningful consultation with stakeholders, particularly from the health sector. Fast-tracking such reforms without due diligence could result in long-term damage to the health system.
Pushing to amend the UHC Law at this time is premature, especially when the law has not yet been fully and properly implemented. It is only prudent to pause and assess the progress of UHC implementation, allow the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of fund transfers, and ensure any legislative action is grounded in evidence, transparency, and accountability.
We therefore urge the Bi-cam committee of the Philippine Congress to defer the approval of these proposed amendments and instead focus on assessing and strengthening the current implementation of the UHC Law. This process must include the voices of frontline health workers, communities, and civil society.
We call on our legislators to be true defenders of public interest and to serve as bulwarks in upholding the right to health. Now more than ever, the country needs a health system that leaves no one behind.