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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bong Go to DOH: Explain backlogs in reimbursement of guarantee letters

Bong Go to DOH: Explain backlogs in reimbursement of guarantee letters

Published Jul 8, 2025 12:12 pm

At A Glance

  • The senator said the Department of Health (DOH) should be transparent on the issue and explain the backlogs in the reimbursement process.

The Department of Health (DOH) should explain to Congress why it is having a hard time settling the claims of private hospitals on guarantee letters (GLs) given to indigent patients, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said.

Go made the call as he appealed to the DOH to immediately reimburse and settle these claims which allegedly has reached to P530-million, through the Medical Assistant for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.

“Ako ay nababahala sa desisyon ng ilang private hospitals na huwag munang tumanggap ng mga guarantee letters na napakahalaga para mabawasan sana ang hospital bills ng mga pasyente natin (I am very concerned about the decision of some private hospitals not to accept guarantee letters, which are very important to reduce the hospital bills of our patients),” Go said in a statement.

“Naiintindihan natin na mahirap naman talaga mag-operate ang isang ospital kung marami pang collectibles o singilin. Paano ka mag-operate kung wala kang cash na magagamit pambili ng supplies at pambayad sa medical personnel (We understand that it is really difficult to operate a hospital if there are a lot of collectibles or bills. How can you operate if you don't have cash to use to buy supplies and pay medical personnel)?” he pointed out. 

“Umaapela tayo sa DOH na bigyan ito ng pansin at i-settle agad ang mga bayarin sa private hospitals (We appeal to the DOH to pay attention to this and immediately settle the bills of private hospitals),” he said.

Malacañang had earlier assured the public that the DOH has sufficient funds to settle the claims of private hospitals for services and treatments provided to indigent patients. 

Citing the DOH, presidential spokesperson Claire Castro said only 39 hospitals in Batangas were having issues with GLs due to incomplete or missing documents.

Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography during the 19th Congress, said the DOH should be transparent on the issue and explain the backlogs in the reimbursement process. 

“Dapat ding klaruhin ng DOH: Bakit ang tagal bayaran? Saan ba nagtatagal? Sa DBM ba o sa DOH? Ano ba ang inuuna ninyo (The DOH should also clarify: Why is it taking so long to pay? Where is it taking so long? Is it the DBM or the DOH? What do you prioritize)?” he asked.

“Pera ng Pilipino 'yan, dapat lang na ibalik sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng maayos na medical assistance (That is Filipino money, it should be returned to them through proper medical assistance),” he said.

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