Senator Bong Go wants all Filipinos to become aware of their PhilHealth benefits

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his call for a more extensive information campaign by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) especially as all Filipinos are automatic members of PhilHealth under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.

Go attributed the lack in the public's awareness about their PhilHealth benefits to broader problems in government health funding, particularly the zero-budget allocation for PhilHealth in 2025 and the transfer of PhP 60 billion so-called "excess funds" of PhilHealth to the National Treasury in 2024.

Go alleged that these decisions, taken together, slowed down the full implementation of universal health care law.

He recalled that during his tenure as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health in 2024, he had already raised ethical concerns about the "controversial" transfer of PhP 60 billion fund from PhilHealth to the National Treasury even before the courts ruled on the matter.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the Supreme Court ordered in 2025 the return of the P60 billion fund that PhilHealth remitted to the National Treasury in 2024.

"The amount was said to be part of the “excess” PhilHealth funds totaling PhP89.9 billion that was intended to be moved to the national treasury," the PCO said. "Last September 20, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already restored PhilHealth’s PhP60 billion excess funds, in recognition of the agency’s improved performance and increased benefits for members."

Meanwhile, Go also recalled that during his tenure, the Senate Committee on Health consistently urged PhilHealth to expand and improve its benefit packages.

He acknowledged that some reforms were eventually implemented, but maintained that these should have been done earlier.

“Sa ating pagdinig sa Committee on Health, nangako po ang PhilHealth noong December of 2024, na taasan nila yung mga case rates. Dinoble nila. Marami silang mga provision na dinagdag na po – libreng check-up sa ngipin, sa mata – dinagdag nila. Eh kung ginawa nila yun noong early part ng 2024, sana wala pong tinatawag na excess funds ang PhilHealth. Wala naman talagang excess funds ang PhilHealth dahil kulang pa po itong pondo ng PhilHealth sa pagpapagamot ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

Go emphasized that despite these adjustments, the country remains far from realizing the full promise of universal health care.

“We are still very very far yet from the full implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law. Napakalayo pa po natin sa ngayon,” he said.

He reiterated that the Senate Committee on Health, through its regular hearings, repeatedly pushed PhilHealth to broaden its benefit coverage, resulting in the removal of several restrictive policies that had long burdened patients.

“Sa ating monthly hearings noon sa Komite, we kept on urging PhilHealth to expand its benefit packages. Nagbunga naman ang ating pangungulit as they were able to act on some reforms. Nagpapasalamat rin po tayo sa mga bagong benefit packages para sa dental services, optometric services – sa mata, yung 24-hour policy nila na kailangan mong magpa-admit, bago ka i-cover ng PhilHealth, tinanggal na po nila. Nag-introduce sila ng emergency outpatient benefit packages, at ito pong 90-day limit nila. Noon ay 90 days lang ang icocover ng PhilHealth, ngayon, tinanggal na po nila ito. Salamat po sa PhilHealth Board na napansin ninyo po ito,” Go said.

He also highlighted reforms targeting policies he described as outdated and harmful to poor patients.

“We also successfully advocated for the repeal of outdated, illogical, and anti-poor regulations like the Single Period of Confinement Policy, 24-hour confinement policy and the 45-day benefit limit. Poor Filipino patients can greatly benefit from these reforms,” he said.

However, Go cautioned that reforms would have limited impact if Filipinos remained unaware of them. He pointed to low registration rates in PhilHealth’s primary care programs as evidence of the need for a more aggressive information drive.

“Dapat lang alam po ito ng Pilipino at mag-intensify po ang kanilang information campaign. Dahil marami pa rin po sa mga Pilipino ang hindi alam na myembro sila ng PhilHealth. Less than 30% palang po ang nagpapa-rehistro sa kanilang Konsulta o Yakap Program, na dapat po’y alam po ito ng Pilipino. Tandaan po natin, lahat po ng Pilipino ay myembro po ng PhilHealth. Subalit, less than 30% pa rin po. Kailangan pa-igtingin nila ang information campaign ng PhilHealth,” he said.

As part of efforts to improve awareness and access, Go disclosed that he filed Senate Bill No. 170, which seeks to mandate the issuance of a PhilHealth identification card to members. He explained that a simple, recognizable ID could help reassure patients of their coverage when seeking hospital care.

“I also filed Senate Bill 170 to mandate PhilHealth to issue a PhilHealth ID. Kahit anong ID po, yung ID system natin, baka pwedeng i-tie up ninyo po, para alam po ng mga kababayan natin at mayroon silang maipakita na ID na hindi sila takot na magpa-ospital. Meron silang panghahawakan. Simpleng ID card or tie up sa ating National ID basta malaman lang ng Pilipino na covered sila ng PhilHealth,” Go said.

-Paraluman News