Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reminded Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to expand their benefit packages for the top 10 mortality diseases before the year 2025 ends.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said PhilHealth, in a letter to his office, made a commitment to substantially increase benefit packages for the top 10 mortality diseases by December 2024 which he required as a prerequisite to approving PhilHealth’s proposed budget for next year.
“Huwag na natin pahirapan ang mga kababayan natin sa ospital. Dapat madama nila ang tulong ng PhilHealth (Let’s not make our people in hospitals suffer. They must feel that PhilHealth’s assistance),” Go stated.
Go reiterated that timely implementation of these medical services is crucial for Filipinos who often struggle with out-of-pocket medical costs.
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.
“Maraming pamilyang Pilipino ang nahihirapan sa gastusin sa ospital. Ang layunin natin ay mapagaan ito para mas maraming makabangon (There are so many Filipino families who have a hard time coping with hospital costs. Our aim is to make it easier for them so that many can recover),” he said.
Earlier, Go lauded the Supreme Court for issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury.
The senator reiterated public health funds should solely support the health and wellness of Filipinos.
“We thank the Supreme Court for heeding the calls to temporarily stop the illegal and immoral transfer of health funds from PhilHealth to finance projects unrelated to the health and wellness of our people,” he added.