Go seeks mandatory PhilHealth cards

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed a priority bill aimed at ensuring all Filipinos are informed and empowered about their health insurance coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).

As the 20th Congress opens, Go introduced the PhilHealth Card Act of 2025, a legislative measure that seeks to mandate the issuance of PhilHealth cards to all Filipino citizens.

The bill, which aligns with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law (Republic Act 11223), is designed to enhance public awareness of individuals’ health insurance benefits and strengthen the implementation of the NHIP.

In his explanatory note, Go highlighted the gaps in public awareness despite the UHC law’s goal of providing universal health coverage.

He cited Article XIII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution, which obligates the state to ensure that essential health services are accessible and affordable for all citizens.

Despite these legal frameworks, Go lamented that many Filipinos remain unaware of their entitlement to PhilHealth benefits, which affects their utilization of healthcare services.

“As of the first semester of 2024, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reported that all 112.89 million Filipinos were covered under the NHIP, setting the coverage rate at 100 percent,” he noted.

“However, data indicates that by the end of 2023, only 96 percent of Filipinos were registered with PhilHealth, leaving approximately 4 percent of the population, or around 4.52 million individuals, unregistered,” he added.

Go, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, stressed that PhilHealth coverage has been officially extended to all Filipinos, but a significant gap remains in actual registration.

He added that while 27.8 million Filipinos are enrolled in PhilHealth’s Konsulta program, a significant number of citizens are still unaware of their membership and the health benefits available to them.

Go’s proposed measure aims to address this gap by requiring PhilHealth to issue health cards or another form of identification to all registered members, including indirect contributors such as indigents.

While the card isn’t required to receive benefits, Go emphasized that the initiative aims to boost awareness and encourage wider use of the NHIP.

“The health card is not essential for availing of PhilHealth benefits,” Go clarified.

“Its purpose is to serve as proof of membership and to help raise awareness of the health benefits available to Filipinos.”

Go also proposed integrating PhilHealth membership data with the National ID system to further simplify access and ensure that all citizens are adequately informed about their health coverage.

He likewise expressed his desire to collaborate with PhilHealth to issue affordable identification cards that would make it easier for Filipinos to access healthcare services.

NAS expansion urged

Go is also pushing for the expansion of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) to the Visayas and Mindanao, aiming to give young athletes across the country equal access to quality sports education and training.

Under his proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, NAS campuses would be established in every administrative region, building on the institution’s current base in New Clark City, Tarlac.

“While NAS has been vital in developing homegrown athletic talent, its centralized location limits access for many student-athletes outside Luzon,” Go said.