PhilHealth anomalies continue under Duterte

Press Release: June 6, 2018

Amidst proposals to increase its premium contributions, PhilHealth proves itself to be a means for corruption by erring officials, not only during the Aquino administration but also under the current administration. Hard-earned taxpayer's money and premium contributions go to the pockets of its officials, and maybe even their bosses higher up in the government echelon.

As an insurance policy patterned over the United States economic policies, PhilHealth's design is flawed. It has been failing to serve the interests of most Filipinos, especially the poor; whereas it ensures the income of private institutions through incentives and reimbursements, it has always been decidedly prone to corruption by feeding the greed of its officials.

Just a week ago, it was revealed that a P10.6 billion fund was illegally "funneled to the Department of Health in 2015." This was during the same time the funds for the anomalous Dengvaxia vaccine were released. Former Health Secretary Garin and PhilHealth chief Padilla denied allegations of their involvement. The P10.6 billion fund is still missing.

Last month, the Commission on Audit reported a total of P9 billion unaudited loss for PhilHealth in 2017, P627,000 of which was solely for travel expenditures by former PhilHealth Officer-in-Charge Dela Serna. The Philippine Hospital Association of the Philippines also threatened to withdraw its members' PhilHealth accreditation because of anomalies on PhilHealth's online reimbursement claims; PhilHealth owes private hospitals billions by May 2018.

Over the years, PhilHealth's bloated budget of hundreds of billions has never succeeded in providing 100% coverage and 100% free healthcare among Filipinos. Out-of-pocket expenditures on health remain at 50%, rural communities have yet to see a health worker let alone a health center, and seven out of ten Filipinos still die without ever seeing a health professional. Amidst propaganda of a supposedly better and effective healthcare system, PhilHealth has bared its true form: a pillar of corruption, an old-new form of bureaucratism.

Officials now reveal that PhilHealth funds have been depleted, justifying the need for increased premium contributions. Yet the growing list of serious blunders and corruption among PhilHealth's officials, then and now, makes us think. Why must the Filipino people shoulder the burden of increased premiums when it was the government who erred and failed us? Why do Filipinos, amidst increased price of commodities caused by TRAIN Law, have to suffer another collection increase that only goes to the pocket of a few?

As matters stand, neither accountability nor persecution of involved officials by the Duterte administration is in sight. Health Alliance and Democracy therefore calls on all medical professionals, doctors, nurses, midwives, health workers and community health workers, health science students, patients and health advocates to decry PhilHealth as a venue for corrupt officials to steal public funds. Under the growing threat of dictatorship and tyranny, we must continue to expose and resist government economic policies that favor corruption and private interests over the health of the people.

The struggle for a free, comprehensive and progressive healthcare shall continue and strengthen so long as we keep our voices heard.