Philhealth membership spikes in 2004, drops sharply after - Malaya 08.10.2006

SEN. Joker Arroyo Jr. yesterday said a 50 percent increase in the membership of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) in 2004 is proof that the agency was used to boost the election chances of President Arroyo.

"Ibig sabihin ‘nung big increase, e dahil ginamit sa eleksyon," Arroyo said.

Arroyo said the Philhealth membership rose from 9.9 million families from May to a high of 15.3 million families by December 2004.

The figures were confirmed by Philhealth senior vice president Melinda Mercado during a briefing of the P46.4 billion supplemental budget by the Senate finance committee.

Mercado told senators the membership fell to 12 million as of July 2006.

Of the number, 2.49 million were considered indigents who could not afford to renew their coverage.

"The government does not care anymore after the elections," Arroyo said.

He said he expects the number to soar again with the 2007 elections approaching.

"Next year, tataas na yun" he said after the Senate briefing.

It was not clear when the sharp increase took place, whether before or after the May 11, 2004 elections.

"The point is the members grew after the 2004 elections," Arroyo said.

Sen. Juan Ponce said Philhealth should also prove to the Senate that it is really living up to its purpose.

"We want to find out if Philhealth really benefited the people, if the program is operating on the ground," he said.

"People in provinces are complaining that they could not even use it to buy medicines," Enrile added. – Dennis Gadil