President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced plans to gradually reduce the out-of-pocket medical expenses of PhilHealth members, with the ultimate goal of making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Filipinos.

Speaking at the turnover ceremony of 387 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units at Quirino Grandstand on Wednesday, Marcos said the government is working to expand PhilHealth’s insurance coverage and improve healthcare services by adjusting the budgets of the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth.

“‘Yung PhilHealth, pinaparami natin ang insurance coverage. Pinapalaki, pinaparami natin ang serbisyong ibinibigay ng PhilHealth (We’re expanding PhilHealth's insurance coverage. We're increasing and improving the services that PhilHealth provides),” the President said.

Marcos expressed hope that once the economy improves, PhilHealth members would only need to shoulder minimal administrative costs—or “none at all.”

“Binababaan natin ang bayad, kasi kahit papaano ‘yung pasyente pagka magpapatingin o magpapagaling ay mayroon pa ring kontribusyon. At dahan-dahan naming babawasan ‘yang kontribusyon ng pasyente (We're lowering the costs because, one way or another, patients still have to contribute when they seek consultation or treatment. And we will gradually reduce that patient contribution),” he said.

Marcos said his goal is for PhilHealth members to pay only a minimal fee, limited to administrative costs.

“That’s our goal,” he said. “Right now, our system isn’t fully capable, but we’re working on the budget to accelerate improvements in our healthcare services.”