Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman announced the proposed P101.51 billion budget in 2024 for the national health insurance program under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), a substantial increase of P1.28 billion from the previous budget to accommodate an expanded pool of beneficiaries and to double the annual premium rate for persons with disabilities (PWDs) from P2,400 to P5,000.

Under the mandate of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law or R.A. 11223, PhilHealth is tasked to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available, and accessible health care services for all Filipinos.

The proposed 2024 budget reflected the government's commitment to fortifying health care for marginalized and disadvantaged communities, leveraging insights from the pandemic to bolster primary care units across the country.

“Given the lessons from the pandemic, the FY 2024 proposed budget will continue to strengthen primary healthcare facilities in the country, including medical assistance amounting to P22.26 billion to 1.31 million indigent and financially incapacitated patients who are unable to afford nor access quality healthcare services,” said Pangandaman.

The proposed PhilHealth program benefits are slated to reach approximately 12.75 million indigent members as identified by the national household targeting system under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); 8.26 million senior citizens (as per RA 10645); over 15,000 financially handicapped point-of-service patients; 136,000 unemployed persons with disabilities, and 25,512 individuals as identified in the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Peace and Development Program. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)