Senator Bong Go urges PhilHealth to expand its coverage and benefits to address the top 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines, emphasizing the need for improved outpatient and emergency care.
SEN. Bong Go called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to improve its packages for the country's top 10 leading causes of death.Drawing from the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Go, chairman of the Senate health committee, underscored the need to help Filipinos address illnesses that claim thousands of lives every year, such as ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases.
'I was the first to raise the issue because I saw long ago the people's need for better and adequate benefits. We should not wait for the situation to worsen,' he said.According to the PSA's 2024 data, ischemic heart diseases remain the leading cause of death, followed by neoplasms (cancers) and cerebrovascular diseases. Other significant illnesses include pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.Go emphasized the need for PhilHealth to expand its benefit packages to address these conditions comprehensively. He has consistently advocated for the enhancement of outpatient and emergency room (ER) packages, stressing that many Filipinos cannot afford urgent medical interventions for non-admissible yet critical illnesses.'Many cases do not require confinement, but they do need help. Outpatient and emergency care should not be neglected,' he said.The senator has campaigned for free medicines, assistive devices, and preventive care measures to ensure Filipinos can access timely health care without fear of financial ruin.He lauded the state insurer for addressing long-standing issues but reiterated the need for sustained action to fully meet health care demands.In addition to the expanded benefits, Go wants the removal of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy, the substantial increase in case rates, and other benefits under PhilHealth's coverage.Go's health reform agenda stems from his long-standing scrutiny of PhilHealth's fund management. As early as July 2024, he opposed the transfer of excess funds to the National Treasury, which he criticized as 'morally wrong' despite being legally justified.'If only they had listened to my calls, there would not have been this big problem. This is the people's money; it should be used properly for their good,' he said during a Senate session.The Supreme Court's temporary restraining order against the fund transfer in October echoed Go's warnings. However, he continues to urge PhilHealth to maximize the efficient use of its funds, especially now that the government has decided to allocate zero budget subsidy for PhilHealth this year due to its unutilized excess funds
HEALTHCARE PHILHEALTH PHILIPPINES DISEASES SENATOR BONG GO
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