Marcos aims for fully subsidized healthcare, zero hospital costs

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government is working toward a long-term goal of providing fully subsidized healthcare for all Filipinos, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for hospital care.

Speaking at the turnover ceremony of 387 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Marcos underscored that the administration is not only boosting emergency response capabilities but also expanding and modernizing the country’s entire healthcare system.

“Kaya ipagpapatuloy namin ang pagpapatibay hindi lamang sa paramihan nitong transport vehicle, kung hindi pati na ang buong health system natin, buong healthcare system natin (We will continue strengthening not just the number of transport vehicles but our whole healthcare system),” he said.

Marcos cited the government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade public hospitals, build specialty centers, and expand the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) network for non-emergency cases.

He said the government is steadily reducing patient payments, aiming to eventually remove all financial barriers to healthcare—similar to universal health systems abroad.

Marcos added that if the country can manage its economy well, it may reach a point where patients will pay nothing but minimal administrative fees.

“Kung tayo’y magawa natin, ‘pag naayos natin ang ating ekonomiya nang mabuti at kaya na natin ay kaya naman siguro natin, wala ng kontribusyon ang pasyente (If we manage our economy well enough and we can afford it, we may eventually remove patient contributions altogether),” he said.

“Siguro ‘yung kagaya sa ibang lugar na nakikita ko na nasubukan ko, administrative cost lang (Just like in other countries I’ve seen and experienced—only a minimal administrative cost). That is the aspiration,” he added.

Marcos acknowledged that current resources fall short of supporting a fully free model but assured the public that the government is realigning priorities to make it achievable.

The PTV turnover was the largest single-day distribution by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. An additional 123 vehicles will be delivered to local governments in the Visayas, and 105 more to Mindanao later this week.