PASAY CITY — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Committee on Health, issued a strong reminder to PhilHealth to utilize available funds and implement urgently needed reforms as they have committed numerous times.
The Senate plenary deliberations on Tuesday, November 12, focused on the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Health (DOH), saw Sen. Go emphatically reiterating his commitment to holding PhilHealth accountable for its promises.
Go began his remarks by referencing a directive from the Department of Finance (DOF) for PhilHealth to remit unspent funds. He stated that the DOF had directed PhilHealth to remit an estimated PHP 89.9 billion in unutilized funds to the National Treasury to be used for other purposes.
Just recently, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order stopping the transfer of funds. Go considers it morally unacceptable to divert funds intended for healthcare for other purposes. With the TRO, Go highlighted a lingering question regarding the remaining PHP 29 billion that PhilHealth has yet to transfer to the Treasury.
“Baka pwede n’yo nang i-utilize po ito. Expand benefit packages, increase case rates, ‘yung pinangako n’yo po during the previous hearings natin dito,” Go urged. He emphasized that PhilHealth’s inaction is unacceptable given the substantial funds they are holding.
“Maraming salamat po sa Supreme Court,” he added, alluding to the TRO granted by the court, which allowed the Senate more time to address PhilHealth’s unspent resources.
The senator then pivoted to several policies that PhilHealth had promised to reform or abolish, beginning with the “Single Period of Confinement” policy. He called out the absurdity of this rule, which restricts coverage for the same illness within a three-month window. PhilHealth has scrapped this policy last month after numerous appeals made by Go.
Additionally, Go tackled the controversial 24-hour confinement rule, which mandates that patients be admitted for 24 hours to qualify for PhilHealth coverage. This policy, he argued, results in unnecessary expenses for patients who could instead be given take-home medication. PhilHealth has committed that they will review this rule and include preventive, out-patient and emergency care in their packages.
He pointed out the broader implications of PhilHealth’s policies on the public’s healthcare access, acknowledging the frustration of his colleagues.
“Hindi ko na po masisisi ‘yung mga kasamahan ko sa Senado. Umiinit po ang ulo nila. Dahil talagang ‘you need to work double time,” he said. He noted that Filipinos are often reluctant to seek medical attention due to financial concerns exacerbated by PhilHealth’s policies.
Go raised significant concerns over PhilHealth’s current case rate system, which he argued provides inadequate coverage compared to members’ contributions. He recounted a specific case of a provincial health officer in Camarines Norte who suffered extensive financial losses despite his PhilHealth membership.
“Na-admit siya, PHP 4 million ang billing niya, ang binawas po, PHP 27,000,” Go recounted. He added that during a second admission, “ang binawas po, PHP 29,000. PHP 56,000 lang po ang na-avail niya sa kanyang pagpapa-hospital.”
Go lamented that despite the officer’s contribution to PhilHealth during his years of government service, his actual benefits were far lower than his needs. The officer eventually passed away, underscoring what Go sees as a failure in PhilHealth’s mandate.
“Nalugi na siya, namatay pa siya,” he stated. “Kaya ‘yan po ay dapat i-review ng PhilHealth.”
The senator vowed to exercise the Health Committee’s oversight functions so that PhilHealth reviews and improves its case rate system, saying, “Kaya sabi ko, hindi po ako titigil bilang chairman po ng Committee on Health na bantayan po ang PhilHealth na i-improve niyo ‘yung services ninyo.”
Go committed to rigorous oversight by the Senate Committee on Health, which he chairs, in monitoring PhilHealth’s progress in meeting their pledged reforms. Go reminded PhilHealth and the DOH to remain accountable, stating, “We remind DOH and PhilHealth to abide by their commitment letters sent to this representation and the committee during the budget hearing, and that the Committee on Health will continue to exercise its oversight functions to ensure that these commitments are implemented.”
He stressed that his committee would remain vigilant in tracking PhilHealth’s actions to ensure that promised reforms do not remain unfulfilled, especially given the agency’s surplus.
“Babantayan po natin ito dahil sobra-sobra nga po ang pera ng PhilHealth,” he added, emphasizing his resolve to prevent any backsliding on commitments.
Also, Go highlighted PhilHealth’s expanded benefit packages, pressing the agency to honor its commitments to Filipinos, with an approaching deadline of November 30 for increasing case rates from 30% to 50%. He outlined specific packages, including dental, outpatient drug, and mental health benefits, emphasizing mental health as crucial, particularly given the pandemic’s impact.
Go also advocated for the inclusion of optometric services, assistive devices, emergency outpatient care, and diagnostic tests, urging PhilHealth to repeal restrictive policies like the 24-hour confinement rule that limits coverage for emergency outpatient services.
In closing, Senator Go issued a powerful reminder to PhilHealth about its core mission, urging them to remember the significance of their name and mandate. “Ang pakiusap ko lang po sa PhilHealth, tandaan n’yo po ang inyong pangalan ng inyong kumpanya — PhilHealth po. Para po ‘yan sa health. Gamitin n’yo po ‘yan para sa health,” he declared.
