THE PROJECT REVIEW: Update : Philhealth's Unfair Treatment of OFWs

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Update : Philhealth's Unfair Treatment of OFWs

Being a former OFW and a Philhealth member, I can emphatize with the concerns of our
OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) regarding the excessive and unreasonable increase on Philhealth annual premium, and the compulsory OFW membership to the government health care program.

The burden imposed on OFWs by the unreasonable and arbitrary premium increase is unscrupulous, to say the least. And requiring compulsory Philhealth membership to all OFWs is unfair, and more so if it is made as a requirement so one could leave the country to work abroad. It is the right of a Filipino to travel and work abroad, and should not be restricted by this requirement.

Many OFWs either have their own personal health insurance or are covered by their company's health care program as part of their contract benefits, and should not be forced to be members. Forcing the OFWs to be members and making them pay the annual premium is simply illogical, because most OFWs' contacts last for a year or more, and will not be benefitting from the services of Philhealth for the year they paid. This applies particularly to unmarried members without dependents, and married members whose families are with them abroad.

If Philhealth continues to impose compulsory membership, it should have or "must" have Philhealth offices and affiliate hospitals in all the countries where OFWs are deployed, to assist them. If not, Philhealth should make OFWs membership optional to be fair.

If Philhealth needs more money to pay for the health care benefits of other Philhealth members, they should not be targeting the OFW sector to pay and shoulder these expenses of Philhealth.

Is Philhealth treating the OFWs as milking cows?
The OFWs are our living heroes and the savior of our economy, I think they deserve a better treatment.

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