A health workers’ group has raised concerns over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s claim during his recent State of the Nation Address that patients no longer need to pay out-of-pocket expenses in Department of Health hospitals. The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) said the “zero balance billing” policy does not reflect the actual experiences of many patients.
Cristy Donguines, AHW secretary general, said the policy is limited only to PhilHealth members who qualify under strict criteria. “Even if you are a member, you must still undergo categorization, interviews, and submit documents. Only those classified as indigent are eligible,” she explained.
Donguines stressed that patients who do not meet the criteria continue to pay hospital bills. “There will still be charges. It’s not free,” she said, criticizing what she described as a misleading public message.
The AHW pointed out that many public hospital patients struggle with medical costs despite being covered by PhilHealth. The group said that without clarity on the system’s scope and better support, many Filipinos will continue to fall through the cracks.
The group reiterated its appeal for more government funding for public hospitals and urged PhilHealth to simplify the requirements needed to access full benefits under the no balance billing program.
