Photo credit: Bong Go

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is giving a big thumbs-up to PhilHealth for stepping up and expanding its coverage—especially for babies born with congenital heart defects. This move, long pushed by Go during Senate health committee hearings, will provide financial support for life-saving surgeries needed by infants with conditions like Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), often called “blue babies.” The expanded coverage takes effect on March 1.

“Napakaraming pamilyang Pilipino ang hindi kayang gastusan ang operasyon ng kanilang mga anak. Hindi natin hahayaang may batang mawalan ng pagkakataong mabuhay dahil lang sa kakulangan sa pera,” Go emphasized.

A Win for Families Struggling with Medical Bills

For years, Go has been advocating for better healthcare coverage, urging PhilHealth to focus on the top 10 leading causes of mortality in the country—including congenital heart diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer. Now, with this latest expansion, families facing sky-high medical bills can finally breathe a little easier.

"Sa tulong ng PhilHealth, mas marami pang sanggol ang maililigtas. Hindi ito simpleng benepisyo lang—ito ay buhay na nakasalalay. Patuloy kong babantayan ang pagpapatupad nito para siguradong maramdaman ito ng mga nangangailangan," he vowed.

Go’s Push for More Reforms

The senator isn’t stopping here. He’s doubling down on his calls for broader healthcare reforms, including:
• Better hospital facilities
• Stronger government medical assistance programs
• More Malasakit Centers nationwide

“Responsibilidad ng gobyerno na tiyaking walang Pilipinong napapabayaan pagdating sa serbisyong medikal. Lagi kong ipaglalaban ang mas mabilis, mas abot-kaya, at mas maayos na pangangalaga sa ating mga kababayan,” Go stressed.

More PhilHealth Upgrades Coming Soon?

After Go’s persistent efforts, PhilHealth has also committed to:
• Increasing case rates
• Expanding benefit packages, particularly for critical illnesses
• Providing free medicines and assistive devices like eyeglasses and wheelchairs
• Enhancing coverage for dental, visual, emergency, and preventive care

He also pushed for the recent scrapping of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy, which previously restricted claim eligibility. Next on his radar? Getting rid of the 24-hour confinement rule, ensuring patients can access PhilHealth benefits even for emergency treatments.

"Serbisyo Ko, Serbisyo sa Tao"

With his trademark "Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo" advocacy, Go reassured Filipinos that he remains committed to ensuring healthcare services are truly accessible.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” he declared.
With PhilHealth’s expanded coverage and Go’s relentless push for reforms, many hope this is just the beginning of a more inclusive, accessible, and compassionate healthcare system for all Filipinos.