Press Release - 'Magmalasakit sa may sakit' -- Bong Go's consistent push for reforms results in PhilHealth commitment to amend 24-hour confinement policy

Reforms toward better healthcare benefits were set in motion the moment Senate Committee on Health Chairman Senator Christopher "Bong" Go made the first of many appeals for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to improve its policies and packages to benefit poor and indigent patients.

On December of this year, PhilHealth is set to amend its controversial 24-hour confinement policy which mandates patients to be confined for at least 24 hours in order to avail of PhilHealth benefits.

Following this development, Go expressed his commendation, saying, "I've been pushing for this change because the current policy is unfair to our people, especially the poor. Hindi naman dapat hintayin na lumala ang kondisyon ng pasyente bago sila matulungan. Dapat maagapan agad para hindi lumaki ang gastusin ng tao at ng PhilHealth."

PhilHealth first announced during a recent Senate hearing presided by Go that the new policy, which aims to cover emergency outpatient services without the 24-hour confinement requirement, is expected to be implemented by yearend.

Atty. Eli Dino Santos, PhilHealth's Executive Vice President and COO, affirmed their commitment to revise the rule, ensuring that patients no longer need to be confined overnight to access PhilHealth benefits.

Go emphasized the importance of this policy shift for millions of Filipinos who often face medical emergencies but are financially unable to afford long hospital stays.

"Karamihan ng pupunta sa emergency room, kailangan talaga ng tulong. Hindi sila pupunta doon para magpanggap na may sakit. Kailangan natin itong baguhin para hindi sila pahirapan. Magmalasakit tayo sa may sakit," he explained.

While Go praised PhilHealth for this development, he also urged them to act swiftly and efficiently in implementing this policy to alleviate the financial burden on Filipino families.

"Maraming maaabot itong pagbabago na ito. Hindi na kailangang magpa-confine pa ng 24 oras para makakuha ng PhilHealth coverage ang mga pasyente," Go added.

In addition to pushing for the amendment of the 24-hour rule, Go reiterated his call for PhilHealth to introduce more reforms to provide healthcare for all in accordance with the