Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito pushed for the amendment of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act to cut down the increased premium rate for Philippine Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

He underlined that despite the good intention, the Senate must understand that the country is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have to adapt to the situation. The intention might be good in increasing the rates, but we should understand we are still recovering from the pandemic," the senator said.

Ejercito filed Senate Bill No. 160 last July 2022 seeking to introduce changes in the insurance corporation's premium rate.

"Given the devastating economic loss of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proposed measure seeks to amend the rate of Philhealth contribution to give enough breathing room for contributors who are still recovering from the financial uncertainties," the senator stated in the explanatory note of SB No. 160.

Along with this, he proposed reforms including the following:

• The premium contributions of migrant workers and self-learning individuals shall be based on the income floor
• Unpaid contributions of distressed or repatriated migrant workers shall not be collected upon their arrival in the country
• Failure to pay contribution shall not be a ground for non-issuance of Overseas Employment Certificate of a migrant worker; as well as
• Income ceiling of P40,000 as the basis for premium contribution