MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which is currently embroiled in fresh allegations of corruption, should first undergo “thorough financial checkup and cleansing” before any government bailout, a lawmaker said. In response, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government is ready to provide funding to ensure the survival of PhilHealth, which is tasked with implementing the Universal Health Care (UHC) law. But the lawmaker stressed that PhilHealth should not be provided additional funding unless “meaningful changes” are enforced to ensure that it can effectively fulfill its mandate and tasks under the UHC law. PhilHealth has recently found itself in the thick of congressional investigations into alleged anomalies in the agency. “PhilHealth should not be provided additional funding unless meaningful changes are implemented to ensure it can effectively fulfill its mandate and tasks under the UHC law,” she added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 09, 2020 02:10 UTC