Philhealth Card Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS ) 25 JUL -7 A9:57 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session RECEIVED 5 SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT MANDATING THE ISSUANCE OF PHILHEALTH CARDS TO ALL FILIPINOS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XIII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "the State 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." In line with this, Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, ensures that every Filipino citizen is automatically included in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Despite these provisions, challenges persist in providing all Filipinos with seamless access to healthcare services, particularly due to lack of awareness of PhilHealth membership. Several instances were also reported that many Filipinos are still wary of going to hospitals because of financial constraints. As of the first semester of 2024, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reported that all 112.89 million Filipinos were covered under the NHIP, setting the coverage rate at 100%. However, data indicates that by the end of 2023, only 96% of Filipinos were registered with PhilHealth, leaving approximately 4% of the population, or around 4.52 million individuals, unregistered. According to PhilHealth, around 27.8 million Filipinos are currently enrolled in its Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit at

Tama) program. This discrepancy suggests that while all Filipinos are covered by PhilHealth, not all are aware of their PhilHealth membership. To address this issue, this measure mandates the issuance of PhilHealth cards, ensuring that every Filipino is informed of his/her membership in the National Health Insurance Program. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

• *. Cal, Pare ofte TWENTIETH CONGRESS JUL -7 A9:57 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECENTU BY SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT MANDATING THE ISSUANCE OF PHILHEALTH CARDS TO ALL FILIPINOS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "PhilHealth Card Act of

2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. - Article XIII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution

provides that "the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 6 development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost." Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law provides that every Filipino citizen shall be automatically included into the National Health Insurance Program. Pursuant to the Constitutional mandate and in line with the UHC Law, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to provide citizens of the Philippines with a health card to serve as proof of their healthcare coverage.

Sec. 3. PhilHealth Card. - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)

shall issue a health card or proof of identification to all registered members of the National

1 Health Insurance Program. PhilHealth shall also endeavor to issue a health card or proof 2 of identification to indirect contributors, particularly to indigent members. PhilHealth shall utilize the Phil-ID as an alternative proof of identification and integrate membership information in the Phil-ID as provided under Section 9(e) of Republic Act No. 11055, 5 otherwise known as the "Philippine Identification System Act". The absence of the health card shall not prejudice the right of any member to avail 8 of benefits or medical services under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). The 9 health card shall not be necessary in availing of PhilHealth benefits, and shall only be used for purposes of membership information and utilization recording under the National Health Insurance Program.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the implementation of this Act

shall be charged against the operating expenses of PhilHealth.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules

and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,