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Red Cross could face bankruptcy over PhilHealth debt –Gordon


The Philippine Red Cross could fall into bankruptcy should the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) fail to settle its mounting debt, Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said over the weekend.

Quoting Gordon, a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday said the PRC is now facing financial constraints due to the state insurer's failure to pay its debts estimated at P930 million.

"Kasi sabi nila babayaran, babayaran, babayaran. In the meantime, nagpapadala ng mga test, walang tigil ang pasok. Papayagan namin na 930 [million pesos] ang babayaran nila kung nahihirapan sila," said Gordon.

"Tapos within three days, bayaran ang balance at magmula ngayon, pairalin ang kontrata -- every time mag-test kami, in three days bayaran," he added.

The Red Cross earlier this month said it will no longer accept tests chargeable to the PhilHealth, and will only complete the testing of specimens submitted until October 14.

The cessation of PhilHealth-funded COVID-19 testing, the PRC said, will stay in place until the overdue balance of P930.993 million is paid.

Under its mandate, PhilHealth is tasked to administer the National Health Insurance Program which aims to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available, and accessible health care services for all citizens of the Philippines.

For its part, PhilHealth said it will settle its obligations for COVID-19 tests this week, to enable the PRC to immediately resume its swab testing paid for by the state insurer. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News

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