By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero has called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to revisit the definition of ‘indigent’ for health-related cases.
“Any person suffering from a serious illness like cancer, heart disease, or kidney and lung conditions should be considered an indigent,” Escudero explained.
He emphasized that even individuals earning ₱28,000, ₱68,000, or even ₱100,000 per month could be financially burdened by the costs of food, housing, medications, and other expenses, making them “cancer indigent,” “heart disease indigent,” or “kidney failure indigent.”
Escudero argued that this perspective should shape the government’s approach to healthcare.
The senator also urged PhilHealth to review the contributions members make compared to the benefits they receive, similar to how private insurance operates.
“Why doesn’t the actuarial study match the benefits provided? After several questions, why is 30 percent the default? Why not 50 percent or 100 percent? Is this based on an actuarial study?” Escudero inquired.
PhilHealth implemented the All Case Rates policy in 2013, replacing the fee-for-service mechanism.
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