Press Release - Bong Go urges PhilHealth to address insufficient case rates after tragic story of Walter, a health officer in Camarines Norte failed by the same system he promoted

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, delivered a powerful privilege speech on Tuesday, August 27, highlighting the tragic story of Walter, a dedicated health officer from Camarines Norte who was failed by the very system he served and was mandated to promote.

Go used this heartbreaking example to call for urgent reforms within PhilHealth, demanding that the agency improve its services and fulfill its promises to the Filipino people.

Walter is a dedicated PhilHealth contributor and provincial health officer who served the public for 15 years in Camarines Norte, the hometown of fellow Senator Robinhood Padilla.

According to information given to Go, he was one of the most active personnel in promoting Universal Health Care (UHC) in the province. "Consistent contributor po sya ng PhilHealth, walang mintis," Go noted.

However, despite his years of service and contributions to PhilHealth both on a personal level and in relation to his work, Walter faced a tragic situation when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Go recounted the devastating financial burden that Walter's family had to bear due to the insufficient coverage provided by PhilHealth. Walter's total accummulated contributions to PhilHealth over the years amounted to P200,000, yet when he needed assistance the most, the coverage provided was shockingly inadequate.

"Lumapit sa aming opisina, lumapit po sa Malasakit Center ang kanyang pamilya para humingi ng tulong sa hospital bill. Umabot sa apat na milyon ang kanyang huling bill sa ospital. P800,000 ang PWD discount," Go shared, emphasizing the immense hospital bill that Sir Walter's family faced.

Out of the P4 million hospital bill, PhilHealth only covered P29,120. "Tumataginting na P29,120. May barya pa!" Go exclaimed, expressing his frustration at the negligible amount covered by PhilHealth.

With more than two million pesos still left unpaid, Walter's family was left in a dire financial situation, struggling to find ways to cover the remaining costs. Go's office already provided medical assistance to help the family with the bill.

This situation was not an isolated incident. In an earlier confinement, Walter's