NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. IGO
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of tl)f c t'l r,p
72 JUL-7 P4:04
RECEIVED SV:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR "JV" EJERCITO
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Universal Health Care Act was designed to become a mechanism where 
our people could run to in times of need. It is a common fund shouldered by everyone 
of us so that those who would require medical attention will have the accessibility to 
do so. Though we pray that we are always in our best well-being, it would be 
comforting to know that we are assured of health care when necessary.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, our people are still managing and struggling to 
get back on track and re-establish financial stability. 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.
For almost two years, the pandemic has slowed down our ways of life. Most of 
our people were forced to stay at home and for a time told not to show up for work, 
domestically and internationally. As such, the bill intends to repeal the penalty Interest 
of missed contributions of self-earning, professional practitioners, and migrant 
workers. In the same manner, distressed or repatriated migrant workers shall not be 
required to pay their missed Philhealth contributions. Our people has suffered more


than enough during the onslaught of the pandemic and such increase in contributions 
is not only untimely but very insensitive.
The Universal Health Care Act is a tool, an instrument to lighten the load for 
everyone, including migrant workers. It should not be an additional burden to those 
who seek employment abroad. No one should be deprived of their dreams and 
opportunities in the name of this Act. The law has the purest Intentions of helping and 
not to hinder.
To assure our migrant workers that they will not be held hostage and prevented 
from going out of the country to work, the bill intends to expressly prohibit the non­
issuance of Overseas Employment Contract for failure to pay Philhealth Premiums.
The proposed amendments in this measure aims to further our goals of having 
a healthy nation. This is our vision: Filipinos taking care of fellow Filipinos.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR "JV" E3ERCITO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE 
160
'I Senate
of tije c
H JUL-7 P4 ’04
RECEIVED
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR "JV" G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as
2 
follows:
3 
Sec. 9. Entitlement to Benefits. - Every member shall be granted
4 
immediate eligibility for health benefit package under the NHIP: Provided,
5 
That PhilHealth Identification Card shall not be required in the availment
6 
of any health services: Provided, further. That no co-payments shali be
7 
charged for services rendered in basic accommodation: Provided,
8 
furthermore. That co-payments and co-insurance for amenities in public
9 
hospitals shall be regulated by the DOH and PhilHealth: Provided, finally,
10 
That the current PhilHealth package for members shall not be reduced.
11 
PhilHealth shall provide additional NHIP benefits for direct
12 
contributors, where applicable: Provided, That failure to pay premiums
13 
shall not prevent the enjoyment of any NHIP benefits: Provided, further,
14 
That employers [and self employed direct contributors] shall be required
15 
to pay all missed contributions with an interest, compounded monthly, of
16 
at least three percent (3%) for employers [and not-excccding1.5% for
17 
self-earning, professional practitioner5,-and-migrant-w0rkeF5].
18


7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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Sec. 2. 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
2m-
2020
202i
2022
2022
2024
202S
Premium
Rate
2t75%
2t00%
2t50%
4t00%
4t50%
S.00%
St00%
tneeme-Hoor
PI-O7OOO7OO
P10,000.Q0
P10,000.00
P10,000.00
P10,000:Q0
P40,000-.00
P10>000.-00
tneeme-Geiling
P50,000.00
P60,Q00.00
P70,000.00
PSO^OOO.OO
P90,000.00
P100,0Q0.00
P100,000.00]
YEAR
PREMIUM
INCOME
INCOME
RATE
FLOOR
CEILING
2022
3%
P10/000.00
P40,000.00
2023
3.5%
P10/000.00
P40r000.00
2024
4%
P10,000.00
P40/000.00
2025
4.5%
P10,000.00
P45,000.00
2026
5%
P10,000.00
P50,000.00
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.


1 
\-Previefed, That f]For indirect contributors, premium subsidy shall
2 
be gradually adjusted and included annually in the General
3 
Appropriations Act (GAA): Provided, [■further,'] That the funds shall be
4 
released to Philhealth: Provided, furthei\fmre\: That the DOH, In
5 
coordination with Philhealth, may request Congress to appropriate
6 
supplemental funding to meet targeted milestones of this Act: Provided,
1 
finaiiy. That for every increase In the rate of contribution of direct
8 
contributors and premium subsidy of indirect contributors, Philhealth
9 
shall provide for a corresponding increase in benefits.
10
11 
Section 3. Repeaiing Cause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
12 
regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
13 
amended or modified accordingly.
14
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Section 4. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
16 
publication in the official gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general
17 
circulation.
Approved,