Senator Hontiveros tells DOH: Make it easier for patients in need to get medical aid

Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said the Department of Health’s (DOH) revised guidelines for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Persons (MAIFIP) should make it easier for patients to access financial aid.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said the DOH should ensure that its administrative order on medical assistance complies with the 2026 budget provision aimed at ending patronage politics and clearly defines the procedures and requirements for availing of financial aid.

“Klaro ang naging desisyon namin sa Senado at House: Hindi na dapat mag-door-to-door pa sa mga opisina ng pulitiko para manlimos ng guarantee letters para lang makapagpagamot,” Hontiveros said.

“Kaya inaasahan ko na klaro din sa DOH na ang bagong guidelines na ilalabas nila tungkol sa MAIFIP ay dapat magpadali sa pagkuha ng tulong at hindi lalong magpahirap sa mga pasyente at kanilang pamilya,” she added.

Hontiveros stressed that the reforms put in place by the 2026 budget, such as the “anti-epal” provision introduced by Philippine Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, must be sustained beyond the current fiscal year.

Hontiveros said she is ready to begin the period of interpellations on Senate Bill No. 1593, or the proposed Universal Health Care Medical Assistance Program (UHC MAP), which seeks to directly provide financial assistance to hospitals and their patients.

“Kapag naipasa ang batas na ito, klaro na hindi na kailangan pang manghingi ang mga pasyente ng GL (guarantee letter) sa mga pulitiko. Mag-a-apply na lang sila sa mga medical social workers sa ospital at mabibigyan sila ng tulong sa loob ng 72 hours,” Hontiveros said.

“Tuldukan na natin ang panlilimos para sa GL. Ang tulong na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan para sa pagpapagamot ay dapat ibigay diretso sa kanila,” Hontiveros said.

“Lahat ng nangangailangan, dapat mabigyan ng tulong. Walang kapalit. Walang kondisyon. Walang palakasan,” she added.

-Paraluman News