Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NRETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HousE BII-L NO. 1 G 3 7 1
Introduced by Representative CIRIAC0 8. GATO, JR. MD. FPSO-IINS
EXPIANATORY NOTE
The Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act is a landmark in the Philippine healthcare system,
ensuring that all Filipinos have access to comprehensive healthcare services. This Act
has been instrumental in providing affordable healthcare and fulfilling the State's duty
towards the health of its citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.
However, the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have
highlighted the need for flexibility and responsiveness in our healthcare laws to address
the evolving needs of our people, especially the vulnerable sectors.
Considering these challenges, this proposed measure secks to introduce critical changes
to the Universal Healthcare Act to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for all
Filipinos, regardless of their employment status or location.
The proposed amendments aim to adjust the premium contribution rates for migrant
workers and self-earning individuals to a more manageable level based on the income
floor.  This  adjustment  ensures that  contributions  are  fair and proportional to  their
earnings, alleviating the financial strain on our OFWs and other self-employed Filipinos.
It also seeks to provide  PhilHealth with  more flexibility when it comes to collecting
contributions  by  giving  them  additional  powers  to  compromise,  waive,  or  release
interests  or  surcharges  owed by  employers,  self-employed  individuals,  and  migrant
workers, regardless of the amount. This flexibility will encourage timely payments and
provide relief in times of financial difficulties, ensuring continued healthcare coverage.
As the additional 2 years to finish senior high school resulted in the adjustment of the
age  of college  graduating  students  from  21  years  old to  22-23  years,  this  measure
proposes to increase the age of PhilHealth dependents to  23 years old.   Raising the
dependency age will help alleviate the hardship of the low to middle income earning
families as they strive to have their children finish college.


To ensure the sustainability and responsiveness of the healthcare system in these ever-
changing times, the President will also be authorized to suspend or defer contribution
increases and/or income floor and income ceiling during national emergencies to lessen
the financial strain on our citizens.
These  amendments  reflect  our  commitment to  adapt  our healthcare  policies  to  the
needs of the times and to uphold the welfare of every Filipino. It is with the spirit of
compassion and equity that we seek immediate passage of this bill.
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPREENTATTVES
Quezon Gty, Metro Manila
NINETEENTII CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HousEBILLNO.    10371
Introduced by Representative CIRIAC0 8. GATO, JR. MD. FPSO-HNS
AN Aor AMENDING REpuBIAc Aor No. 11223, oTTIERwlsE IINowN As
THE
"uNlvERSAL HEAI;rll CARE Aor"
Sec. 1. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as follows:
See. 9. Erulllernerit to Benefrls. - Every member shall be granted  i.mmediate
dig{hiliky  for  health  beneftl  package  under  the  NHIP:  Provided,    `I'hal
Phi:lIIealth Identiifecation Card shall not be required in the avallme:nt Of cmy
health serviee: Provided further, Thai no co-pcaymeut shall be   charged for
services rendered in basic or u)ard accommodation: PTovided furthermore,
Thai co-pcaymerits and co-insurance fior cmerities in public hospitals shall be
reguhaled by the DOH and PhilHealth: Provided,  ftnaltg,  Thai the ouITenl
Phi]1Iealthpachageformembersshallnotberedueed.
Philllealth shall provide additional NHIP benefits for direct contributors,
where appliedrle: Provided, That fictiha.e to pay prem:iuns shal.1 not prove:ut
the enjeymenl Of any  NIIIP benefits: Provided further, Thai emplayers cnd.
segfemployed  direct  contributors  shall  be  required  to  pay   all  missed
contributions with an interest, compounded monlldy , Of at least three percent
(3%) for employers, cnd. Trot exceeding one  cmd half percen:I (1.5%), simple
interest monthly Jdr  seifea:in:ing , professional practitioners,  cmd rrigranl
workers.
See. 2. Section lo of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. io. Prerrium Contri:butious. - For direct contributors, premium rates
shall be in aowrdance with the fouowing schedule, and monihky income floor
and ceding :
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Year
Premium
Income Floor
Income
Rate
Ceiling
2019
2.75%
PIO'OOO
P50'OOO
2020
3.00%
PIO'OOO
P6O'OOO
2021
3'00%
PIO'OOO
P6O,OOO
2022
4.00%
PIO'OOO
P80,OOO
2023
4.00%
Plo,000
P80,OOO
2024
5.00%
PIO'OOO
PIOO,OOO
2025
5.00%
PIO'OOO
PIOO,OOO
Itovided,  thai  qfter.  co;nsu.Itation with  stahehaldei.s  and upon
reoorn:mendation Of the Seereta:ng Of Health, the Phi:lIIealth Board
mau  adUust the inoorne floor cmd income cetting  based on the
f a:nding reqpriremeut Of health benefit packages.
For migrant workers, premiu:in contributions shall be based on
the  income  jtoor..  Itovided,  that  ftfu)  percent  (5o%)  Of  the
prom:iu:in contribution Of migrcmt u]orkers shall be shouldered bu
the national govern:men:I; provided Jtrriher, that unpdid premiu:in
contributions Of migrcmt workers in distress shall not be couected
upon their clnd:road in the countr\). Phovided finally, that f iaiha.e to
pau  Philllealth  contribution  shall  not  be  a  ground fior  no:n:
issucmce Of overseas ern:plogmeut certiifieate Of a in:igranl u7orkei..
For    setifeea:rn:ing    individuals    or    practicing    proifessionais,
contributions shall be pri:mariky based on household ea:rn:ings and
assets. The corporation shall determine and prescri.be the a:mount
OfcontributionbutnotLowerthanthei:n®ome]toor.
Provide That, For indirect contributors, premium subsidy shall be gradually
adjusted  and  included  annually  in  the  General Appropriations  Act  (GAA):
Provided, That the funds shall be released to PhilHealth: Provided Jitrther:
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 coITesponding increase in benefits.
In  the  ei)eat  Of a  state  Of nc[tional  emergene§],  pubtie  health
e:Tne:I.gem::y, or state Of calm::mit\), the President Of the Philippines,
upon reeonr\:me:nd;af ron Of the Philllealth Board air ier consu,Itation
uri:th   stakeholders,   mau   suapend   the   inaease  in  prem:iu:in
contribution  rates  cmd/  or  income floor  and  i:ncome  ceiling
provided  undo:r  this  section.  The  mandated  increase  shall  be
i:mplerneuted  upon  ti!ffi:ng  Of the  state  Of national  emergencu,
pubtie heal;th e:in;erge:ne:g,  or  state Of caha:mfti].  In the  eiJent Of
4


suapenston,  all  subsequen:I  schedule  increases  in  conwibution
rates shall be i:in;plemeuted i:n the succeeding years accoq.dingey .
See 3. Additional powers and functions in Section 16 of the Republic Act No. 11223
to read as follous:
Section 16. Additional pou}e:rs andf a:notion Of Philllealth.
(e)         Noturi:tlistanding   the   provisioins   Of  arvy   law   to   the
contra:ry, the corporation mag com:prom:ise, u]ahoe, or release, in
whole  or  in  part,  such  interest  or  surcharges  i:in:posed  upon
em:ptouers   or   selfem:ptoued   di:rect   contributors,   i:nctuding
in:igran± workers, regcndless Of the a:mount i:"ol:wed under such
valid te:rms and conditions it mag I.rescribe.
See 4. Additional defrrition in Section 4 Of the Republie No. 11223 to read as
fio[1ou,s:
Section 4 (v) Dependent - The legal dapendents Of a rue:mbe:r
-,,
1.  The legiti:mate apouse u]ho is not a member;
2.  The    un:manded    and    unem:p\oued    legiti:mate,    legiti:mated,
illegiti:mate,  acknowledged  child:rein  as  appearing  in  the  bsrih
certificate,  legally  adopted  or  stepchild:ron  tu]enrty-three  (23)
Wears Of c.ge arid beLow.
See. 5. Section 11(D of RepubHc Act 11223 is hereby amended to read as
follous:
See.  11  cO.  In  bcmds,  seou:rities,  promissory  notes,  or  other  evidences  Of
indebtedness   Of  aceredited   and  ftnancin:Ily   sound  medieal  institutions
excl:usiveky to f tnance the construction, purchase Of medieal equipment,
improuemeat  cmd  maintenance  Of hoapitais  c[nd  other  medieal fiacilities:
Provided, That such securities cmd instru:ments shall be guaranteed by the
Republie Of the Philippines or the issuing medical institution and the issued
secwities are both rated tri:plc `A' by authorized accredited domestic rating
agencies:  Provided, further,  That  said  irmestmerits  shall  not  exceed  ten
percerit (io%) Of the total resen]efu:nd; cnd.
See. 6. Section 12 of Republic Act 11223 is hereby amended to read as follows:
See 12. Administrative Expense.  No more than Seven and one-half percent
(7.5%)  Of  the  actual  total  prerrium  collected  from  direct  and  indirect
contributory  members  during  the  immediately  preceding  year  shall  be
allotted f tor the administrc[tive cost Of inplemeriting the Progrcm.
5


See. 7. Continuity of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to eliminate or
diminish any benefits or entitlements already granted to members of PhilHealth.
See.  8.  Separability  Clause.  -  If  any  provision  of this  Act  is  declared  invalid  or
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
and effect.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - AIllaws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of
instruction, proclamations, and administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
See. 1o. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,
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