SEN. Christopher "Bong" Go expressed support for the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Health and its attached agencies while pressing the government to provide the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) with sufficient funding to expand benefit coverage and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Filipino patients.
During the recent Senate hearing on the proposed health budget, Go said investments in healthcare directly translate into protection for Filipino lives.
"I would like to place on record that I support the budget of the Department of Health and its attached agencies and corporations. The health budget is important because it is an investment in our people," he said. "Health is wealth. Our people’s health is equivalent to the lives of every Filipino. Many Filipinos also need medical assistance, and this is something that our government must address," he added.
The proposed 2027 health sector budget drew scrutiny after the DOH and its attached agencies originally sought higher funding than what was included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
PhilHealth itself initially sought around P370 billion to sustain expanded benefits but was allocated only P74.448 billion in the NEP.
Go stressed that the country remains far from the full promise of Republic Act 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act.
The senator reiterated that PhilHealth resources must be optimized for patients rather than allowed to accumulate while Filipinos continue struggling with hospital bills.
He cited reforms pushed through sustained Senate oversight, including increases in case rates and new benefit packages for dental services, optometric care, and emergency outpatient services.
Go also recalled the removal of policies he had repeatedly criticized as anti-poor, including the Single Period of Confinement rule and the 24-hour confinement requirement.
“We already pushed PhilHealth to implement reforms and improve its benefit packages. I am glad to report that many of these reforms have already been successfully implemented," he said.
The senator nevertheless stressed that the work is far from finished.
He urged PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Beverly Lorraine Ho and Health Secretary Edwin Mercado to continue reviewing benefit packages, accelerate the implementation of Zero Balance Billing, and ensure that qualified Filipinos understand and can actually avail themselves of their benefits.
Go likewise reiterated his push for a PhilHealth identification system, possibly integrated with the National ID, so Filipinos clearly understand that they are automatically covered under Universal Health Care.
He said stronger PhilHealth coverage would also ease pressure on other medical assistance programs.
Go said that Malasakit Centers consolidate assistance from PhilHealth, the DOH, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, adding that patients would not need additional assistance if PhilHealth itself shouldered a larger share of their medical expenses.
"The greater the coverage provided by PhilHealth, the more we can reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenses," he said.
Go likewise pushed for continued funding for the Cancer Assistance Fund, health facilities, regional specialty centers, and the hiring and retention of healthcare workers.
He urged Congress and the executive branch to treat the health budget not simply as another annual expenditure, but as an investment that can determine whether a struggling Filipino seeks treatment or delays care because of cost.
"I hope we reach a point where Filipinos are no longer afraid to go to the hospital," Go said.
