PhilHealth urged to scrap 24-hour confinement rule
CALAPAN CITY, Philippines — Health reform advocate and former PhilHealth official Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon has called for the immediate review and abolition of the state insurer’s 24-hour confinement rule, saying it deprives members of benefits when they need them most and undermines public trust in the health insurance system.
Leachon, who served as an independent director of PhilHealth representing the Monetary Board from 2016 to 2019, raised the issue following the case of Marvin Sulit, a member who had paid contributions for 25 years but was denied coverage after dying less than 24 hours after being admitted to a hospital.
READ: Palace orders probe into PhilHealth benefit denial claim
In a statement on Tuesday, Leachon described the rule as a rigid technicality that disregards medical realities and places an added burden on grieving families.
“Insurance must protect in emergencies. The 24-hour confinement rule undermines the very purpose of social health insurance, which is to provide support at the moment of greatest need,” he said.
He said denying benefits based on an arbitrary time threshold runs contrary to the principles of a humane health program, stressing that sudden illnesses and emergencies are precisely the situations for which coverage exists.
“When contributors are abandoned despite decades of faithful payments, confidence in the system collapses,” Leachon added.
READ: PhilHealth to review single period of confinement rule
Beyond the confinement rule, Leachon pointed to broader systemic issues facing PhilHealth and said the situation requires urgent comprehensive reforms.
Among his recommendations were increasing benefit packages while keeping premiums affordable, ensuring Congress provides sufficient healthcare funding, settling the government’s P400 billion in unpaid arrears to PhilHealth, and safeguarding the fund from mismanagement or diversion of resources.
“PhilHealth is the lifeline of millions. Diverted funds and insufficient subsidies have pushed it to the brink. This is not just about numbers — it is about lives, dignity, and justice,” Leachon said.
He also urged authorities to establish eligibility standards based on fairness, compassion, and medical necessity rather than arbitrary rules.
“This is not an isolated case but a systemic failure. Reform is urgent to uphold the principles of justice, integrity, and universal health care,” he said. /coa /atm /dm
