Photo credit: Senate PH

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go is on a mission to ensure that the hardworking Filipinos paying into the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) actually get the benefits they deserve. He made this clear during a recent Committee on Health and Demography hearing, where he presided over discussions about the agency's funds and policies.

With the proposed 2025 budget for PhilHealth on the horizon, Go vowed to keep a close eye on the agency, especially when it comes to reforms promised by its president and CEO, Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. These include everything from increasing case rates and expanding program benefits to scrapping outdated policies like the controversial single period of confinement rule.

“Ang pakiusap ko lang sa PhilHealth, sa natitirang pondo niyo po, yung limang punto ko po dito: increase case rates, lessen the out-of-pocket expenditures, lower the premium contributions of direct members, increase benefit packages, and scrap policies like the single period of confinement rule,” Go said.

The senator’s goal is simple: ensure that every peso paid into PhilHealth is spent improving the healthcare experience of Filipinos. By eliminating anti-poor policies and pushing for reforms, he aims to make sure that the country’s healthcare system works for everyone, not just a select few. Expect him to follow through once the PhilHealth budget reaches the Senate floor—this is one issue he won’t let slide.