House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos has filed a bill seeking to establish a Mental Health Voucher System under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to help low- and middle-income Filipinos access consultations, therapy, medication, and related services.
Marcos said House Bill 9327, or the proposed Mental Health Voucher Act, aims to make mental health care more affordable and accessible in line with the administration’s healthcare agenda and House leadership priorities. “Mental health care should not be a privilege available only to those who can pay for it out of pocket,” he said.
The measure seeks to expand mental health coverage under PhilHealth through a voucher system that would provide eligible members and qualified dependents with pre-approved subsidies for mental health services and medication. It also builds on Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act, by creating a financing mechanism for Filipinos whose treatment is delayed because of cost.
The bill proposes a dedicated Mental Health Fund Pool within PhilHealth, financed through PhilHealth funds, annual national budget appropriations, and other lawful sources, including sin tax revenues. PhilHealth would lead implementation with assistance from the Department of Health and the National Mental Health Council.
Under the proposal, PhilHealth would issue non-transferable vouchers to qualified beneficiaries diagnosed by licensed physicians.
