Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he welcomes the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) target to raise its hospital bill coverage to 18 percent by 2025 and 28 percent by 2028, but emphasized that these figures remain far from sufficient to meet the true intent of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
“Masakit isipin pero totoo—hanggang ngayon, milyun-milyon pa rin ang naghihingalo hindi lang sa sakit kundi sa takot dahil walang pambayad sa pagpapagamot,” said Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health.
PhilHealth made the pronouncement on April 2, a day before the Supreme Court’s continuation of oral arguments on the controversial transfer of its PhP 89.9-billion excess reserve funds to the national treasury.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez revealed that PhilHealth only covered PhP50,000 of his PhP 7-million hospital bill in 2023. The case, widely shared online, became emblematic of public frustration with the health insurance agency’s underperformance.
PhilHealth Senior Vice President Renato Limsiaco Jr., responding to Lopez, explained that the agency’s target is to cover 18 percent of hospital costs in 2025, rising to 28 percent by 2028, citing a long-term national health financing strategy.
But for Senator Go, who has conducted thirteen Senate hearings so far on the state of the public health system, particularly PhilHealth’s accountability and health worker benefits, these projected figures—though a step in the right direction—are still far from satisfactory.
“Hindi sapat ang plano kung ang isang pasyente ay kailangang umutang o ibenta ang lupa para lang ma-discharge. Samantalang ang PhilHealth, napakaraming sobrang pondo na di nagagamit o napapakinabangan ng mga mamamayan lalo na yung nagkocontribute naman. Buwan-buwan ay kaltas sa sweldo nila yan,” Senator Go asserted.
“Gamitin n’yo po ang pondo ng PhilHealth para sa health—kaya nga PhilHealth, para sa ‘health’. At tandaan natin ang PhilHealth po, hindi negosyo ‘yan. Insurance ‘yan na dapat po meron tayong masasandalan tuwing tayo ay nagkakasakit,” he emphasized.
The lawmaker has consistently questioned PhilHealth’s shortcomings, particularly the move to transfer billions in unutilized funds back to the national treasury—funds that could have been used to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs.
“PhilHealth is not a corporation whose priority is profit. It is a medical insurance system meant to ease the suffering of our people. Every peso that doesn’t go to patient care is a missed opportunity to save lives,” Senator Go said.
On April 4, speaking to reporters during a visit to Malabon City, Senator Go recalled that he had repeatedly flagged PhilHealth’s inefficiencies and underspending long before the Supreme Court hearings. He pointed to the cases of not only Justice Lopez, but also the late Dr. Walter Jalgalado—a provincial health officer from Camarines Norte who contributed over PhP 200,000 to PhilHealth over his 15 years of service. Jalgalado died from pancreatic cancer, and yet PhilHealth only covered PhP 27,000 of his PhP 6-million bill.
“Anong klaseng sistema ‘yan? Mula ulo hanggang paa naglingkod ka na sa bayan, pero sa huli, pamilya mo pa rin ang magdadala ng pasan. Ang tanong: saan napunta ang kontribusyon mo? At higit sa lahat, saan napunta ang sobrang pondo ng PhilHealth na dapat sana ay makakapagsalba ng buhay ng Pilipino?” Senator Go asked.
Jalgalado’s grieving family, who had long relied on his government income and believed in the promise of social insurance, were left devastated—not only by his passing but also by the staggering financial burden that followed. Despite years of loyal public service, their patriarch died knowing that the institution he trusted failed to protect him.
Senator Go said the case reflects a brutal irony that many public servants face: that even after a lifetime of sacrifice, the system often gives nothing back when they need it most.
PhilHealth has recently attempted to rectify some of these longstanding issues. Following Senator Go’s sustained pressure, it officially scrapped the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy, which had limited reimbursements for patients readmitted for related conditions within 90 days. Senator Go also called out the outdated 24-hour confinement rule, prompting PhilHealth to expand its emergency benefits.
PhilHealth committed to implement a broader range of reforms, including increasing case rates;
expanding benefit packages for top mortality diseases; providing free assistive devices such as eyeglasses and wheelchairs; and incorporating dental, vision, emergency, and preventive care.
Yet the senator says implementation must be fast-tracked and results must be tangible. While Senator Go supports PhilHealth’s long-term trajectory, he maintains that systemic change cannot wait.
“Gamitin n’yo ang pondo ng PhilHealth para sa mga mahihirap nating mga pasyente. ‘Wag n’yong ipamigay pabalik sa treasury habang ‘yung mga pasyente nagkakandarapa sa ospital,” Senator Go stressed.
Senator Go said he remains fully committed to ensuring that the country’s health programs actually alleviate—not worsen—the burdens of the sick and poor.
“Tandaan na ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Magmalasakit tayo sa may sakit at huwag na dapat pahirapan ang naghihirap na. Ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa mga tao lalo na sa mga mahihirap at nasa malalayong lugar,” he said. ###