A proposed measure in the House of Representatives seeks to establish a mental health voucher system under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to expand access to mental health services for low-income families.
House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos is pushing House Bill No. 9327, which aims to strengthen mental health coverage by providing subsidies for consultations, therapy sessions, medications, and other related services.
Under the proposal, PhilHealth members and qualified dependents would be entitled to vouchers that can be used to access mental health care without incurring high out-of-pocket expenses.
The measure seeks to address financial barriers that prevent many Filipinos from seeking timely mental health support, particularly among economically disadvantaged households.
The bill also emphasizes the broader social impact of untreated mental health conditions, noting effects on education, employment, and family stability.
Once enacted, PhilHealth would serve as the lead implementing agency in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Mental Health Council, which will help develop clinical standards, service delivery systems, and data management frameworks for the program.
