Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT” 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State guarantees that it shall “adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, 
health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.” 
The "Universal Health Care (UHC) Act," also known as Republic Act No. 
11223, is a significant piece of legislation that assures affordable and accessible 
healthcare services, but also requires migrant workers and overseas Filipino 
workers (OFWs) to make direct contributions to the National Health Insurance 
Program at set rates. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted a 
majority of Filipinos' ability to earn a living and as such, the government 
authorities must immediately take the required steps to help the situation, 
lessen their suffering, and be responsive to the requirements of the moment. 
September 7, 2023
10:44 pm
9077


This proposed bill seeks to amend Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223 to 
such that the premium contribution schedule of the migrant workers and self-
earning individuals shall now be based on the income floor. In addition, the 
migrant workers won't be penalized for their unpaid contributions upon 
returning home, and their inability to pay won't be a reason for refusing to issue 
them with an overseas employment certificate. 
The measure further authorizes the President to suspend or defer the 
contribution schedule stated in the same section in the event of a nationally 
declared state of emergency or calamity, essentially giving people the flexibility 
to afford healthcare even during a crisis.  
In view of the foregoing immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
 INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
SEC. 10. Premium Contributions. – For direct contributors, premium rates 
shall be in accordance with the following schedule, and monthly income floor 
and ceiling: 
Year 
Premium Rate 
Income Floor 
Income Ceiling 
2019 
2.75% 
P10,000.00 
P50,000.00 
2020 
3.00% 
P10,000.00 
P60,000.00 
2021 
3.50% 
P10,000.00 
P70,000.00 
2022 
4.00% 
P10,000.00 
P80,000.00 
2023 
[4.50%] 3.5% 
P10,000.00 
P90,000.00 
2024 
[5.00%] 4.0% 
P10,000.00 
P100,000.00 
2025 
[5.00%] 4.5% 
P10,000.00 
P100,000.00 
9077


2026 
5.00% 
P10,000.00 
P100,000.00 
 
PROVIDED, THAT PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS OF MIGRANT 
WORKERS AND SELF-EARNING INDIVIDUALS SHALL BE BASED ON 
THE INCOME FLOOR: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT UNPAID PREMIUM 
CONTRIBUTIONS OF DISTRESSED OR REPATRIATED MIGRANT 
WORKERS SHALL NOT BE COLLECTED UPON THEIR ARRIVAL IN THE 
COUNTRY: 
PROVIDED, 
FINALLY, 
THAT 
FAILURE 
TO 
PAY 
PHILHEALTH CONTRIBUTION SHALL NOT BE A GROUND FOR NON-
ISSUANCE OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE OF A 
MIGRANT WORKER. 
[Provided, That] For indirect contributors, premium subsidy shall be 
gradually adjusted and included annually in the General Appropriations 
Act (GAA): Provided, [further,] That the funds shall be released to 
Philhealth: Provided, further [more]: That the DOH, in coordination with 
PhilHealth, may request Congress to appropriate supplemental funding to 
meet targeted milestones of this Act: Provided, finally, That for every 
increase in the rate of contribution of direct contributors and premium 
subsidy of indirect contributors, Philhealth shall provide for a 
corresponding increase in benefits. 
IN THE EVENT OF A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY OR 
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, OR STATE OF NATIONAL CALAMITY, 
THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF 
THE 
PHILHEALTH 
BOARD 
AFTER 
CONSULTATION 
WITH 
STAKEHOLDERS, MAY SUSPEND THE INCREASE IN PREMIUM 
CONTRIBUTION RATES PROVIDED UNDER THIS SECTION. THE 
MANDATED INCREASE SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED UPON THE LIFTING 
OF THE STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY OR PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY, OR STATE OF NATIONAL CALAMITY. IN THE EVENY OF 
SUSPENSION, 
ALL 
SUBSEQUENT 
SCHEDULED 
INCREASES 
IN 


CONTRIBUTION 
RATES 
SHALL 
BE 
IMPLEMENTED 
IN 
THE 
SUCCEEDING YEARS ACCORDINGLY.” 
 
SECTION 2. Non-Diminution and Continuity of Benefits. – Nothing in this Act 
shall be construed to eliminate or diminish any benefits or entitlements already 
granted to members of PhilHealth. 
 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. – If for any reason any part or provision of 
this Act shall be deemed invalid or unconstitutional, the other sections or 
provisions hereof shall not be affected and shall remain in force and effect. 
 
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, decrees, rules and 
regulations, and other parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SECTION 5. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,