Go stated after the national government announced that PhilHealth's expanded maternity benefits would take effect beginning April 30.
According to the announcement, PhilHealth coverage for normal deliveries will increase from PhP9,750 to PhP29,000, while coverage for cesarean deliveries will rise from PhP37,000 to between PhP58,000 and PhP62,000.
The expanded benefits will also cover more prenatal check-ups, increasing from four to eight visits, including vaccines and laboratory tests. Three postnatal follow-up visits will also be covered.
Go, who has consistently pushed for stronger health financing support for ordinary Filipinos, said the improvement should be felt directly by families who often struggle with hospital bills and other pregnancy-related expenses.
"Ito ang panahon na dapat mas maramdaman ng taumbayan ang maayos na serbisyong medikal. Dapat tulungan natin ang mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mga nanay, na mabawasan ang kanilang panggastos sa pagpapagamot at panganganak," Go said.
The senator said maternity care remains a basic public health concern, especially for poor and marginalized families who may delay or avoid proper check-ups because of costs.
Go said that increasing PhilHealth benefits must be matched by proper implementation, clear public information, and actual access on the ground so that members know what they are entitled to receive.
"Dapat malinaw sa ating mga kababayan kung anu-ano ang benepisyo nila. Hindi sapat na may programa sa papel. Dapat alam ng tao, nararamdaman ng tao, at napapakinabangan ng tao," the senator emphasized.
The development comes after Go repeatedly called for reforms in PhilHealth to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. As a health reform crusader, he has pushed for the expansion of benefit packages and greater protection for patients who rely on public health support.
Go began publicly criticizing the management of PhilHealth funds on July 19, 2024, particularly the transfer of excess funds to the National Treasury, warning that such a move could affect healthcare services. During a Senate Health Committee hearing on July 30, 2024, he further argued that the fund transfers were "maybe legally but morally wrong."
On August 2, 2024, a Supreme Court petition was filed challenging the constitutionality of the fund transfer. Similar petitions were later filed by various advocacy groups in October. That same month, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the transfer of PhilHealth funds.
At the start of the 20th Congress, Go also filed a measure seeking to mandate the issuance of PhilHealth cards to all Filipinos. The proposed PhilHealth Card Act of 2025 aims to enhance public awareness and recognition of individual coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223, also known as the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
He has also repeatedly appealed for broader PhilHealth coverage, particularly for services that can reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
Following his appeals, PhilHealth lifted the 45-day annual limit on hospitalizations for members and their dependents, allowing continued coverage for prolonged illnesses, including chronic and life-threatening conditions.
Under Go's prodding, PhilHealth also said it would expand its benefit offerings to include dental services, mental health care, outpatient drug coverage, diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, and medical transportation services.
Coverage is also expected to extend to assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and crutches, as well as chemotherapy for cancer patients, treatment for severe cardiac conditions, and rehabilitation services.
Major enhancements were also made to PhilHealth's Z Packages for kidney-related illnesses. Peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation now have increased support, including living and deceased donor procedures, as well as pediatric dialysis coverage.
Additional reforms include comprehensive packages for ischemic heart disease, covering emergency intervention up to post-surgery rehabilitation for patients with serious cardiac conditions.
Go said the expanded maternity benefits should be viewed as part of a wider effort to make PhilHealth more responsive to the actual needs of Filipinos.
"Ang pera ng PhilHealth ay para sa kalusugan ng Pilipino. Dapat gamitin ito para sa mas maraming benepisyo, mas malawak na serbisyo, at mas malaking tulong sa mga pasyente," he said.
Senator Bong Go