The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is ensuring its members of the continued benefits they offer despite the recent bicameral conference committee's decision to allocate them "zero subsidies" in the 2025 national budget.
In a statement, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said that the agency is "deeply aware of the impact healthcare costs have on Filipino families," noting that it will remain dedicated to its service.
"We remain dedicated to enhancing our benefit packages and reducing out-of-pocket expenses so that every patient feels the security of their health insurance. Rest assured, all PhilHealth benefits will continue to be paid and will even improve," Ledesma said.
"PhilHealth stands with every Filipino in our shared goal of achieving universal health coverage and a healthcare system that you can always trust and rely on. Together we will overcome these challenges and continue to strive in our commitment to your health and well-being," he concluded.
In the 2025 national budget, PhilHealth will receive no government subsidy. Initially, the Executive Department proposed a subsidy of ₱74.431 billion, which the Senate reduced to ₱64.419 billion, before the bicameral conference committee ultimately eliminated it entirely.
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero earlier said that PhilHealth receiving zero subsidies for 2025 will not affect its beneficiaries, citing its ₱600 billion reserve fund.
Escudero stressed that PhilHealth's reserve funds are more than sufficient and remain unused by the agency, noting that the decision serves as a wake-up call for PhilHealth to fulfill its mandate instead of allowing funds to sit idle, resulting in significant financial losses for the government.
