Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Health Committee and a crusader for health reforms, has called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to implement substantial improvements to its benefit packages, particularly for the top 10 leading causes of death in the country.
Drawing from the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Senator Go underscored the urgency of helping Filipinos address illnesses that claim thousands of Filipino lives every year, such as ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases.
“Ako ang naunang nag-ingay ukol dito dahil nakita ko na noon pa ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan para sa mas maayos at sapat na benepisyo. Hindi na dapat hintayin pang lumala ang sitwasyon,” said Senator Go.
According to the PSA’s 2024 data, ischemic heart diseases remain the leading cause of death, followed by neoplasms (cancers) and cerebrovascular diseases. Other significant illnesses include pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.
Senator Go emphasized the need for PhilHealth to expand its benefit packages to comprehensively address these conditions. He has consistently advocated for the enhancement of outpatient and emergency room (ER) packages, stressing that many Filipinos cannot afford urgent medical interventions for non-admissible yet critical illnesses.
“Maraming kaso na hindi kailangan ng confinement pero kailangang-kailangan ng tulong. Hindi dapat mapabayaan ang outpatient at emergency care,” he explained.
The senator’s push includes the provision of free medicines, assistive devices, and preventive care measures to ensure that Filipinos can access timely healthcare without the fear of financial ruin. He lauded the state insurer for addressing long-standing issues but reiterated the need for sustained action to fully meet the healthcare demands of Filipinos.
“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa health! Pera po ito ng taumbayan, bawat piso ay pinagpaguran. Dapat po itong gamitin sa paraan na talagang makikinabang ang mga mamamayan,” he stressed, referring to his persistent advocacy to ensure that PhilHealth’s resources are used efficiently.
These reforms being implemented now by PhilHealth were appealed by Go and various stakeholders during the course of 11 hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, which he chairs.
“Kung hindi dahil sa ating pakikipaglaban, hindi matutupad ang mga dagdag na benepisyo na ito. Sulit ang ating pangungulit ngunit hindi tayo dito titigil hanggang maisakatuparan ang mga pangako nila sa taumbayan,” Go said.
Since last year, Go has been consistently urging the state health insurer to expand its benefit packages, especially for the top 10 mortality diseases, increase case rates, and scrap its restrictive policies like the 24-hour confinement policy. He likewise advocated for the coverage of additional services like dental and optometric services, preventive and emergency care, as well as provision of medicines and assistive devices.
Aside from the expanded benefits, Senator Go successfully pushed for the removal of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy, the substantial increase in case rates, and inclusion of other benefits under Philhealth’s coverage, among others.
Go’s health reform agenda stems from his long-standing scrutiny of PhilHealth’s fund management. As early as July 2024, he opposed the transfer of excess funds to the National Treasury, which he criticized as “morally wrong” despite being legally justified.
“Kung nakinig lang sa mga panawagan ko noon pa, hindi sana nagkaroon ng ganitong kalaking problema. Pera ito ng taumbayan, dapat ay ginagamit nang tama para sa kanilang kapakanan,” he remarked during a Senate session.
The Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order against the fund transfer in October echoed Senator Go’s earlier warnings. However, he continues to urge PhilHealth to maximize the efficient use of its funds especially now that the government has decided to allocate zero budget subsidy for PhilHealth this year due to its unutilized excess funds.
Although Go has strongly criticized the decision to withhold funding for PhilHealth, he still urged the state health insurer to deliver on its commitments to expand health benefits for Filipinos by utilizing its available funds properly.
“Naiintindihan ko po ang galit at pagkadismaya,” Senator Go stated. “Ngunit hindi dapat maging hadlang ito para hindi magawa ng Philhealth ang trabaho niya.”
He urged PhilHealth to expedite reforms, expand benefit packages, and ensure that resources are used solely for the benefit of Filipinos.
“Mula pa noon, malinaw ang layunin ko—ang PhilHealth ay dapat maging tunay na kakampi ng taumbayan pagdating sa kalusugan dahil ito ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Senator Go concluded.
