Young: Better options than paying PhilHealth

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young is not in favor of the city continuing to spend P22 million every year to enroll 36,747 indigent families to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Young clarified that he is only speaking for himself because he does not know the stance of the other members of the City Council on the issue. 

Young said it would be better if the city will just be the one to maintain the P22,048,200 that represents the city’s counterpart because he strongly believes that the amount the indigent-beneficiaries could avail from PhilHealth will not be that high.

The agreement covers PhilHealth shouldering P600 of the beneficiary’s P1,200 annual contribution to the government’s insurance firm, while the other P600 is shouldered by the city.

Once the PhilHealth member or any of their dependents would be confined in hospitals, part of their bills will be shouldered by PhilHealth.

If the PhilHealth member or their dependents will be confined at third level hospitals like Chong Hua, PhilHealth will pay P500 up to P1,100 room accommodation everyday for a period of 45 days, depending on his illness.

If a PhilHealth member or his dependents will be confined in category 3 hospitals, the government insurance firm will pay P4,200 to P40,000 for drugs and medicines, and P3,200 up to P30,000 for laboratories and others.

The qualified dependents are the legitimate spouse; legitimate, legitimated, illegitimate or adopted children below 21 years old; and parents who are more than 60 years of age if they are not PhilHealth members.

But Young said the city may just place the concerned amount in a trust fund where any expenses for the indigent families would be taken.

“Kun dili mahurot og gasto ang kwarta sa usa ka tuig anaa ra gihapon, unya dugangan na usab hangtud nga modaku na ang kantidad. Sa PhilHealth kun dili mahurot nila’g gasto ang atong gihatag nga share wala na man g’yud,” Young said.

Reacting to Young’s statement, Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña said “I am sure he has an alternative program in mind that may provide better value for the beneficiaries.”

Catherine Yso, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) said “Ako usa tan-awon ang result because ongoing pa ang pagpanghatag sa mga PhilHealth cards. Wala pa ko kahimo’g status impact.” (FREEMAN)