Senator Bong Go pushes PhilHealth reforms, champions expanded healthcare for Filipinos

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to solidify his role as a champion of healthcare in the country, pushing for sustained reforms in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to ensure that ordinary Filipinos, especially the poor, receive the quality medical services they deserve.

Among the recent improvements that Go has welcomed is the expansion of PhilHealth’s kidney transplant benefit package. From the previous coverage of P600,000, kidney transplant patients can now access up to P2.1 million in financial assistance. Dialysis support has also increased to nearly P1 million, now including laboratory tests and maintenance medicines that used to cause significant financial strain on patients and their families.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go emphasized that these programs should directly benefit Filipinos in far-flung areas who need them the most. Speaking in Filipino, he said, “What’s important is that there are actual patients being helped in communities far from urban centers.”

While the PhilHealth expansion is a welcome development, Go reminded officials that programs, no matter how well-designed, are only as effective as their implementation. PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado explained that the increase in coverage is supported by their corporate budget and designed to provide long-term support to transplant recipients through sustained access to medicines and post-surgery care.

Go urged the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and local government units to strengthen their coordination to guarantee the success of the program. “If there are benefits this significant, we must ensure proper and swift implementation. Let Filipinos know about these, especially the poor,” he said.

Throughout his time in the Senate, Go has consistently advocated for reforms that make healthcare more accessible. His persistent calls led to PhilHealth’s removal of the Single Period of Confinement rule, which used to prevent patients from claiming benefits for the same illness unless separated by 90 days. Go also pushed for the repeal of the 24-hour confinement rule, calling it anti-poor.

PhilHealth has since expanded coverage for emergency outpatient cases, removed the 45-day annual limit on hospitalizations for members and dependents, and started increasing case rates for common illnesses like urinary tract infections, influenza, and acute gastroenteritis.

Still, Go emphasized that more must be done. PhilHealth’s commitments now include enhancing benefit packages for critical diseases like heart ailments, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. Go noted that these expanded benefits should be matched with improvements in healthcare facilities and medical staffing, especially in remote areas.

With healthcare costs steadily increasing, Go vowed to remain firm in his advocacy to protect the health and welfare of Filipinos.

“For my second term, with all sincerity, I will continue to push for pro-poor programs and laws, especially on health. Health is wealth. We must work together to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Health is equal to the life of every Filipino,” Go said.