AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has welcomed the removal of the 45-day annual limit of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on hospital confinements for members and their dependents, saying it lessens the burden on Filipinos.

Lee was referring to PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-007, which he called a significant advancement toward achieving comprehensive Universal Health Care in the country. 

“This development ensures that all Filipinos, regardless of their medical conditions, have continuous access to necessary health services without the fear of exceeding arbitrary limits," he said in a statement in over the weekend.

“Napakagandang balita nito dahil hindi naman natin ma-i-schedule kung kailan tayo gagaling lalo na sa malulubhang sakit. Malaking kabawasan ito sa pangamba at pasanin ng naparami nating kababayan sa pagpapa-ospital,” Lee added.

(This is wonderful news because we cannot schedule when we will recover, especially from serious illnesses. It greatly alleviates the anxiety and burden of many of our fellow citizens regarding hospitalization.)

Under the previous policy, PhilHealth members were allowed a maximum of 45 days of hospital confinement per year, while the dependents were entitled to a shared additional 45 days annually. 

Beyond these limits, members had to shoulder the full cost of hospitalization.

AGRI Party-list, which is running for reelection in the May 12 mid-term polls, says PhilHealth should ensure the effective implementation of the policy in order for it to have a profound impact on the health care landscape in the country.

"We want to ensure that all Filipinos, particularly those with chronic or severe health conditions, receive the necessary care without the added worry of financial constraints," it said.

Earlier, AGRI Party-list blasted PhilHealth amid complaints of patients over the failure to implement PhilHealth’s Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package.

Lee wrote a letter to PhilHealth Acting President and Officer-in-Charge Dr. Edwin Mercado on March 23 to seek clarification on the matter. He is now waiting for its swift resolution.

AGRI Party-list, under Lee, was the first to expose that PhilHealth had billions of available funds in September 2023. Lee’s persistent efforts resulted to the implementation of PhilHealth’s increased benefits and free medical services.

The said increases include the 30 percent increase in health benefits which was implemented on February 2024, another 50 percent increase which started in 2025, free dialysis, free eye check-up and prescription glasses for ages 0-15, free dental care, expanded coverage for breast cancer treatment, new benefit package for kidney transplant and heart ailments, and the said outpatient emergency care services, among others.