Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Tuesday urged a halt to deliberations on the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) budgets until the government fulfills its pledges to support impoverished patients and formalizes these commitments through signed agreements.
"Napakarami na pong naipangako ang PhilHealth (PhilHealth has already promised a lot)," Go said during a budget hearing.
He reminded the agency of their agreements to improve healthcare accessibility for Filipinos.
Go outlined his demands for written commitments from PhilHealth and the DOH before the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee D, presided by Senator Pia Cayetano, could approve the proposed 2025 health budget.
He also demanded that the DOH commit in writing to ensuring the continuous, unhampered operations of Malasakit centers nationwide. These centers, institutionalized through Republic Act 11463 and principally authored and sponsored by him, have provided financial assistance and medical support to more than 15 million Filipinos.
"I wish to have the Secretary of Health sign a commitment letter and issue a department memorandum before we approve the budget of the agency stating that DOH shall ensure sufficient funding and assistance shall be provided to guarantee the continuous and uninterrupted operation of all Malasakit centers nationwide," Go said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sufficient funding and support for these centers.
Meanwhile, Cayetano highlighted that DOH and PhilHealth must comply with Go's requests before its budget can be officially submitted for approval.
"Your budget is not officially deemed submitted, but it will be submitted once you comply with Senator Bong Go's request," she said.
Go cited numerous promises made by PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma, such as recommending lowering premium contributions, increasing case rates, expanding benefits, providing free medicines and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, covering emergency cases and preventive care, including more dental and optometric services, and abolishing outdated policies such as the 24-hour confinement requirement and the recently scrapped single-period of confinement policy, among others.
He stressed the need for the DOH to ensure the continuous, uninterrupted, and unhampered provision of medical assistance for indigent patients through the established Malasakit centers nationwide.
He said the concerned health agencies' obligations and commitments must be fulfilled or, at the very least, put in writing stating that they plan to deliver on their promises before the proposed budget for 2025 is approved at the Senate Committee level.
Go underscored the importance of investing in healthcare as the country moves toward post-pandemic recovery.
"Ilang beses ko na rin pong nasabi (I said it many times), now is the time to invest more in improving our healthcare system," he said, adding that the proposed 2025 budget for the DOH is crucial for further enhancing medical services for Filipinos.
Reserve funds
The discussion then turned to PhilHealth’s reserve funds, particularly the P89.9 billion in unused subsidies that have raised concerns among lawmakers.
Go told Ledesma that if PhilHealth effectively utilized these surplus funds to enhance services for the sick and needy, financial managers would not need to reallocate these amounts for other purposes.
He also highlighted PhilHealth's P500 billion reserve fund and criticized the agency for not maximizing its available resources to better serve the public's medical needs.
"Habang ang mga kababayan natin, naghihingalo, walang pambayad sa hospital, nagmamakaawa, tapos kayo, sobra-sobra ‘yung pera ninyo (While our countrymen are dying without hospital payment and begging, your money is overflowing)," Go lamented.
He urged PhilHealth to use its available funds for preventive measures, such as early detection of eye problems and dental care, which can reduce long-term medical costs.
He added that patients' out-of-pocket expenses must be reduced, calling on PhilHealth to take a more proactive role in supporting DOH's medical assistance programs.
"Tulungan n’yo po ang DOH. Huwag kayo masyadong umasa sa medical assistance program po ng DOH," he said, emphasizing that PhilHealth's contribution could ease the burden on the health department and help indigent patients.
Go demanded transparency and clarity from PhilHealth, particularly how it intends to utilize its excess resources while expecting additional augmentation from the national budget next year.
He questioned the logic of requesting government subsidies while holding on to such significant reserves.
"Anong point na hihingi kayo ng subsidy? In the middle of the year, ipapabalik ng National Treasury," Go said.
While Go understands the need for reserve funds to ensure PhilHealth's actuarial life, he emphasized the need to balance proper fiscal management and ensure that services benefiting the people are prioritized to maximize available resources.
He said funds should be directed towards meaningful healthcare initiatives rather than returned to the treasury for other purposes.
“Ang pera para sa kalusugan ay dapat gamitin para proteksyunan ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya nga PhilHealth, kasi ang pondo para sa health ay dapat gamitin para sa health!,” he added.
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