Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has raised serious concerns over the decision to exclude government subsidies for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, recently approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee. He warned that the move would disproportionately impact vulnerable sectors, including indigents, senior citizens, unemployed persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other financially incapacitated individuals.
“Removing this subsidy goes against the very essence of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. It will leave millions of Filipinos, especially the poor, without access to essential health benefits,” Lee said. He criticized the decision as a result of inefficiencies and mismanagement by the agencies tasked to administer health funds.
The Bicolano lawmaker has long opposed similar moves, including the transfer of PhilHealth’s ₱89.9 billion excess funds to the National Treasury, arguing that health resources should not be diverted for other purposes. “Health funds must be used exclusively to improve the health and well-being of Filipinos, not for projects unrelated to public health,” Lee emphasized.
Lee also renewed his call for accountability from the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth, highlighting the need for leadership that prioritizes public welfare. “Our fight remains the same: to expand and enhance health benefits until medicine and healthcare become free for all,” he concluded.
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