Latest data from the DOH show that as of early December, a total of 1,078,164 patients have already been assisted in government hospitals under zero-balance billing. This means they were not charged for medical procedures, professional fees, or medicines needed during their confinement in public hospitals. The DOH also reported that its PuroKalusugan primary care outreach has so far served more than 4.1 million individuals in remote barangays nationwide.
“Mabuti na natutulungan na ang higit isang milyong pasyente,” Go said. “Pero dapat hindi lang ito para sa nasa wards. Ang gusto natin, kahit sino pa man ang pasyente, kung kailangan nila ng serbisyong medikal, may access sila na hindi nagbabayad ng kahit piso.”
He stressed that the spirit of Universal Health Care (UHC) must extend to various levels of hospital care, including non-ward patients whose expenses remain burdensome.
Go underscored that these public health facilities must remain efficient and responsive to the growing needs of the public, especially as healthcare reforms scale up under UHC.
Go has consistently pushed for government mechanisms that remove financial barriers to treatment. He has likewise supported DOH’s PuroKalusugan outreach services, bringing primary care directly to remote communities.
For the senator, the challenge now is to convert early wins into a comprehensive healthcare reality.
“Magandang simula ito,” he remarked. “Pero hindi dapat dito natatapos. Ang tunay na sukatan ng Universal Health Care ay ‘yung araw na kahit sino, kahit saan sa Pilipinas, hindi na natatakot magpagamot dahil sa gastos.”
Go reaffirmed that continued cooperation between the legislature, the DOH, hospitals, and local government units will be crucial to expand zero-balance coverage and complete the UHC implementation nationwide.
“Kung patuloy tayong magtutulungan, makakarating tayo sa layunin na lahat ng Pilipino may dignidad at seguridad sa kalusugan,” the senator added. “Kung may sakit ka, tutulungan ka ng estado. Ganun kasimple ang prinsipyo.”
As health sector reforms advance, Go said he will remain vigilant in ensuring that public funds are directed toward programs that directly reach the people most in need.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program nationwide. Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the lowest possible amount.
As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
“Ang trabaho natin ay siguraduhin na kapag may nangailangan, may masasandalan,” he said. “Ang Malasakit Center ay nariyan para sa mahihirap na pasyente, kaya ayaw kong may sagabal sa serbisyo nila.”
Senator Bong Go