Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to honor its commitment to expand benefit packages under the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act 11223).
The commitment, formalized in a letter received by the Senate Committee on Health which Go serves as chairperson, includes a crucial provision: coverage for treatments and devices addressing leading mortality diseases such as angioplasty procedures, pacemakers, and diabetic monitoring devices. This enhancement is targeted for implementation by December 31, 2024.
The Universal Health Care Act, signed into law in 2019, aims to provide equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services for all Filipinos. Go has emphasized that full implementation of its provisions, particularly for top mortality diseases, is critical to improving the lives of millions of Filipinos.
“Napakalaking tulong po ang maibibigay ng mga benepisyong ito, lalo na sa mga pamilyang lubos na apektado ng mataas na gastusin sa kalusugan,” Go said. “Hindi natin pwedeng hayaang magpatuloy ang sitwasyon kung saan nagiging hadlang ang kawalan ng pera sa pagligtas ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan.”
Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes remain the leading causes of death in the Philippines, often requiring expensive and sophisticated medical interventions. Many Filipinos are unable to access treatments such as angioplasty, which can cost hundreds of thousands of pesos, or life-saving devices like pacemakers and continuous glucose monitoring systems for diabetes.
These gaps in access exacerbate inequalities in healthcare, disproportionately affecting low-income families.
PhilHealth, through its letter of commitment, has pledged to address these issues by expanding its benefit packages to include these treatments and devices, guided by clinical practice standards. Go emphasized that these reforms are a necessary step in fulfilling the government’s promise of equitable healthcare access.
“Kailangan nating gawing abot-kamay ang mga serbisyong medikal na ito para sa bawat Pilipino, anuman ang kanilang estado sa buhay,” Go remarked. “Dapat nating tiyakin na hindi na magdadalawang-isip ang mga kababayan natin dahil lang sa takot sa gastos ng pagpapagamot.”
Go reiterated that the implementation of the expanded benefit packages is a crucial element in the larger framework of the Universal Health Care Act. By providing coverage for advanced medical treatments, the law aims to protect Filipinos not only from health risks but also from financial catastrophe due to medical expenses.
“Layunin ng batas na ito na wala nang Pilipinong mangungutang o magbebenta ng kanilang ari-arian para lamang magpagamot. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit mahalaga ang agarang pagpapatupad ng pangakong ito,” he said.
The senator also highlighted that the inclusion of these treatments in PhilHealth’s coverage will not only save lives but also reduce the economic burden on families who often resort to borrowing money or selling assets to afford necessary care.
He added that the Senate Committee on Health will closely monitor PhilHealth’s compliance with its commitments.
Go began raising concerns about PhilHealth fund management on July 19, criticizing the transfer of excess funds to the National Treasury and warning of its potential impact on healthcare services. By July 30, during a Senate Health Committee hearing, he escalated his opposition, calling the fund transfers “morally unacceptable” and challenging Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on the issue.
This controversy prompted Senator Koko Pimentel to file a Supreme Court petition on August 2, questioning the constitutionality of the fund transfer. Advocacy groups joined in October with similar petitions. These efforts culminated in a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court later that month, aligning with Go’s earlier criticisms.
On November 3, Senate President Francis Escudero questioned the need for additional PhilHealth funding in the 2025 budget. Days later, during a Senate plenary session, Senator JV Ejercito backed Go’s position, criticizing PhilHealth’s inefficiencies, particularly its mismanagement of reserves and failure to address healthcare backlogs effectively.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth has also officially committed to assure implementation of their other promises such as increasing case rates; expansion of benefit packages especially for the top 10 mortality diseases; provision of free medicines and assistive devices, such as eyeglasses and wheelchairs; inclusion of dental, visual, emergency and preventive care; as well as updating policies to meet the needs of Filipinos.
Go has pressed PhilHealth to accelerate its other reforms following the long-overdue scrapping of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy last month. While its removal was a significant step triggered by Go’s consistent appeals for reform, he has also brought to light the 24-hour confinement rule, which required patients to be hospitalized for at least a day to qualify for insurance coverage. PhilHealth officials have also committed to revisit and remove this rule.
Although most of these commitments are still in progress, Go said that the Senate Health committee will sustain its oversight of PhilHealth’s performance, especially with the looming December deadline for the promised benefit package expansions, among others.
“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa health! Pera po ito ng taumbayan, bawat piso ay pinagpaguran. Dapat po itong gamitin sa paraan na talagang makikinabang ang mga mamamayan,” Go said, reaffirming his commitment to policies that lessen the financial burden on ordinary citizens.
