Senator Christopher “Bong” Go
MANILA, Philippine – With the welfare of poor Filipino patients always in mind, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has once again called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to improve its services, as PhilHealth submits a commitment letter to Go as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health laying down their promises in writing.
The letter indicates, among other things, PhilHealth’s commitment to implement a substantial increase in benefit packages for the top ten mortality diseases by December 2024. Go requested this commitment letter as a prerequisite to approving PhilHealth’s proposed budget for next year.
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The expanded benefits are intended to provide better coverage for critical diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and hypertension, which remain among the country’s most urgent health challenges.
During a Senate Committee hearing on September 10, Go emphasized that these improvements are not merely aspirations but needs essential actions to alleviate the financial strain of healthcare on millions of Filipino families.
“Huwag na natin pahirapan ang mga kababayan natin sa ospital. Dapat madama nila ang tulong ng PhilHealth,” Go stated, reiterating that timely implementation is crucial for Filipinos who often struggle with out-of-pocket medical costs.
Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, mandates equitable access to quality healthcare for all citizens. Under this framework, PhilHealth has committed to making the improvements by December 31, 2024.
Go reminded PhilHealth that the deadline is quickly approaching, underscoring the need for immediate, measurable outcomes. “Hindi natin kailangan ng pangako. Kailangan natin ang aksyon at resulta na makakatulong sa taumbayan,” Go remarked, reiterating his message from previous hearings.
The proposal for expanding benefit packages aligns with a broader need to ease the financial burden on Filipinos, especially given the country’s high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. A 2021 World Bank report ranked the Philippines among Southeast Asia’s highest in out-of-pocket health expenditures, a statistic Go has often highlighted in his advocacy for affordable healthcare.
“Maraming pamilyang Pilipino ang nahihirapan sa gastusin sa ospital. Ang layunin natin ay mapagaan ito para mas maraming makabangon,” he said.
During the September hearing, Go directly addressed PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma, emphasizing that words alone would not suffice. “It’s time to deliver results,” Go reminded.
Go has actively encouraged PhilHealth to refine its operations and ensure that funds allocated for healthcare are used strictly for that purpose. “Ang pondong para sa health ay dapat gamitin po para sa health,” Go emphasized.
Earlier, Go lauded the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) on the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. This move, while not reversing previously transferred amounts, temporarily halts additional transfers, allowing PhilHealth to retain and potentially reinvest those funds into much-needed healthcare services.
While appreciative of the TRO, Go stressed that this is merely a step in his ongoing efforts to ensure that PhilHealth fully delivers on its commitments to Filipinos. “Pero hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating krusada para sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi ko titigilan ang PhilHealth hanggang tuparin nila ang lahat ng kanilang pangako,” he said.
“Kasama na rito ang pagtaas ng kanilang case rates; pagpapalawak ng benefit packages; pagbaba ng premium contribution; pagkakaloob ng emergency at preventive care; pagbibigay ng dental at visual care, libreng gamot, assistive devices at iba pang pangangailangang pangkalusugan sa mahihirap; pagsasaayos ng mga outdated na polisiya nila bukod pa sa 24-hour confinement rule at single period of confinement policy na kanilang nirepaso kamakailan lamang, at marami pang iba!,” added Go.
The senator remains firm in his resolve to see health funds used accordingly, pointing to the needs of Filipinos who, due to financial constraints, cannot afford medical care.
“Habang may mga mahihirap na Pilipinong naghihingalo dahil walang pambayad sa ospital, habang may mga kababayan nating natatakot magpatingin sa doktor dahil takot sa bayarin, habang may mga kapwa nating Pilipinong namamatay na lang sa sakit dahil sa kahirapan, patuloy kong lalabanan ang mga anti-poor policies at lalo kong isusulong ang mga programa at batas na magtataguyod sa kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he stated.
The senator assured that his committee would sustain its oversight of PhilHealth’s performance, especially with the December deadline looming for the promised benefit package expansions.
“Our people deserve healthcare that does not drain their life savings,” Go concluded. “Panahon na para mapatupad ang tunay na pagbabago sa PhilHealth na mararamdaman ng bawat Pilipino.”