Almost ₱26 billion was added to the Zero Balance Billing to expand its scope to local government unit (LGU) hospitals and provide more support for patients, Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said.
"'Yan ang isa sa mga tinutukan namin kahapon. Dahil meron na tayong ngayong Zero Balance Billing. Maganda 'yan. So ang mga kababayan natin, kung pupunta sa DOH hospital, wala na silang babayaran. At 'yan, sinigurado namin na may pondo, almost ₱26 billion ang idinagdag para zero balance billing," Gatchalian said during an interview at DZRH Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, October 2.
"Ngayon, ang susunod naming, at ito na, pagkasunduan ng mga senador, na dapat hindi lang DOH [Department of Health] hospital, pati LGU hospitals. At 'yan naman po ang isang bagong popondohan natin sa loob ng 2026 budget, na pati yung mga LGU hospitals ay mabigyan rin ng suporta. Dahil sa mata ng taumbayan, di rin nila alam anong DOH, anong LGU," he added.
The senator explained that when patients go to government hospitals, they cannot distinguish which ones fall under the DOH and the LGU. Therefore, the Zero Balance Billing should also cover LGU hospitals, Gatchalian said.
During the Senate hearing on Wednesday, Gatchalian recalled that he showed photos from his staff, showing what challenges patients face. He said that his staff found overcapacity to be the main problem with government-owned hospitals.
"Meron kami nakita ang hospital, 360% ang overcapacity. Ibig sabihin kung isa lang ang kama, tatlo ang taong nag-share dun sa kama na 'yun. So 300%. At dahil nga Zero Balance Billing, marami tayong mga kababayan na pumupunta na ngayon ng hospital para magpagamot. Dahil dati, dahil may bayad, di sila nagpapagamot. Ngayon pumupunta na," he explained.
"Pero ang naging epekto niyan ay nag-overcapacity ngayon ng hospital. At 'yan nga ang hiningan namin sa DOH, ano ba yung mga hospital na kailangan natin palakihin, kailangan natin suportahan ng bagong imprastraktura,” he added.
Although the senator acknowledges the importance of seeking medical treatment, Gatchalian said that they would find ways to support the growing number of patients, including ways to upgrade facilities in several hospitals and health centers.
Currently, the Zero Balance Billing accommodates patients admitted to a ward under the 87 DOH hospitals.
In the same exclusive interview, Gatchalian was also alarmed over the links of some controversial flood control contractors to the so-called “haunted health centers.”
