A lawmaker is urging swift action in Congress to approve a bill that would exempt Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from mandatory contributions to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The proposal — currently pending before the House of Representatives — seeks to amend the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act to relieve OFWs of financial burdens tied to health insurance premiums while working abroad.
House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Rep. Jude Acidre of the Tingog Party‑list reiterated calls for the prompt passage of the measure, noting that OFWs contribute significantly to the Philippine economy through remittances and taxes yet often face challenges accessing PhilHealth benefits while overseas. Acidre said the bill aims to address perceived equity issues in the current system, where workers abroad are still obligated to pay premiums despite having health coverage in their host countries.
Under the proposed legislation, the PhilHealth contributions of OFWs would either be waived or shouldered by the government and employers, easing financial strain for migrant workers — a group long considered vital to the nation’s economy and social fabric. The bill is now being refined by a technical working group in the House Committee on Health before it can advance to plenary debates and eventual voting.
- OFWs send billions in remittances home each year and are a major pillar of the Philippine economy — exempting them from PhilHealth fees could alleviate financial burdens for workers abroad.
- The measure seeks to correct what proponents describe as an equity gap in the Universal Health Care system, making health coverage fairer for migrant workers.
- Swift passage would mean earlier relief for millions of Filipino workers and potentially encourage more consistent participation in health programs.