Senator Imee Marcos has filed Senate Bill 1966 which aims to suspend the mandated 3.5 percent increase in the monthly premium rate contributions of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Instead of implementing it this year, SB 1966 proposes that it should be postponed to 2022.

PhilHealth’s move is in accordance to the Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, which observes an annual 0.5 percent increase starting 2021.

The law also states that a 5 percent limit shall be capped by 2025.

Following this, Marcos has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to expedite the approval of the amended UHC.

“Good intentions need to be backed up by an amendment to the law,” the chair of the Senate Economic Affairs Committee said.

Citing the PhilHealth corruption scandal last year, Marcos added, “Besides, what kind of service can we expect with the hike in Philhealth contributions? Give us reason to believe in Philhealth first, before increasing premiums yet again!”