A lawmaker asked President Rodrigo Duterte to suspend the increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) contributions amid “economic hardships” due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. The circular, released in accordance with Republic Act 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act,” also prescribes an increment of 0.5 percent every year thereafter until it reaches the 5-percent limit in 2025. These health professionals already have difficulty paying their accreditation due to the physical and economic challenges caused by the pandemic, Robes said. “Doctors are extremely burdened by this increase because they are also imposed at least a 5-percent withholding tax rate from their professional fees. PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales had said the state-run insurance firm projected a net loss due to a shortfall in collection and insufficient funding for the Universal Health Law.

Source: Manila Times May 17, 2020 16:21 UTC