SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, a staunch advocate for health reforms, expressed strong support for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) expanded benefit packages for heart diseases, which have significantly increased coverage rates for critical treatments.
“Isa itong napakagandang balita para sa ating mga kababayan na madalas nahihirapan dahil sa napakalaking gastos sa pagpapagamot ng sakit sa puso. Ang ganitong mga benepisyo ay talagang kailangan ng mga Pilipino,” Senator Go said, referring to the new benefits announced by PhilHealth under Circular 2024-0032.
Under the expanded packages, coverage for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a critical procedure for clearing blocked arteries, has been raised from PHP 30,300 to PHP 523,853—a dramatic 1,629% increase. Meanwhile, the benefit of fibrinolysis, a treatment to dissolve blood clots, has also been enhanced, with coverage increasing from PHP 30,290 to PHP 133,500, marking a 341% hike.
Senator Go emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare for heart disease patients, particularly those from underserved communities. “Ang puso ay buhay. Hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kakulangan sa pera para makapagpagamot ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Senator Go also underscored his ongoing efforts to push PhilHealth to implement more comprehensive health reforms. He lauded the state insurer for addressing long-standing issues but reiterated the need for sustained action to fully meet the healthcare demands of Filipinos.
“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,” he stressed, referring to his persistent advocacy to ensure that PhilHealth’s resources are used efficiently.
These reforms were appealed by Go and various stakeholders during the course of 11 hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, which he chairs.
“Kung hindi dahil sa ating pakikipaglaban, hindi matutupad ang mga dagdag na benepisyo na ito. Sulit ang ating pangungulit ngunit hindi tayo dito titigil hanggang maisakatuparan ang mga pangako nila sa taumbayan,” Go said, adding that he shared this fight with health advocates.
Senator Go has been consistently urging the state health insurer to expand its benefit packages, especially for the top 10 mortality diseases, increase case rates, and scrap its restrictive policies like the 24-hour confinement policy. He likewise advocated for the coverage of additional services like dental and optometric services, preventive and emergency care, as well as provision of medicines and assistive devices.
Aside from the expanded benefits, Senator Go successfully pushed for the removal of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy, the substantial increase in case rates, and inclusion of other benefits under Philhealth’s coverage, among others.
The expanded benefit packages come despite the lack of government subsidy for PhilHealth in 2025. PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. assured that the enhanced packages cover a range of services, including emergency care, medications, laboratory tests, and medical supplies, without additional out-of-pocket costs for members.
Senator Go also reminded Filipinos to utilize Konsulta benefits, which focus on preventive care through consultations, screenings, and diagnostics. “Mas mainam na maagapan ang sakit bago pa ito lumala. Gamitin natin ang Konsulta care benefits para sa maagang pagkilala sa mga karamdaman,” he said.
The senator vowed to remain vigilant in ensuring that PhilHealth fulfills its promises. While he commended the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury, he viewed it as just one step in a larger battle for healthcare reform.
“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 declared.
With heart disease remaining one of the leading causes of death in the country, Senator Go’s health reform crusade seeks to alleviate the financial burden on Filipinos, ensuring that access to quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
