Doctors cry foul over billion-peso health program tied to politicians

International

FILIPINO patients in crisis may soon find themselves caught in a political tug-of-war over a P51.6-billion health fund, as 72 medical and health professional organizations denounce the program for requiring “guarantee letters” from politicians to access care.

The allocation, included in the proposed 2026 national budget for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), has drawn criticism for allegedly entrenching patronage politics and undermining the country’s health insurance system.

In a Philstar report, Antonio Dans, convenor of the Health Professional Alliance and a clinical epidemiologist, said, “Our reading is that the senators gave in to the P51 billion for MAIFIP, and 72 health care professional organizations, including the PMA and PCP, were outraged that this was allowed to happen.”

He also explained that MAIFIP poses both legal and ethical concerns, forcing patients in crisis to seek political endorsements for hospital aid, bypassing the Universal Health Care law, which mandates that PhilHealth be the primary health care payer guided by evidence-based and cost-effective standards.

Dans added that the program diverts funds from PhilHealth, which remains underfunded despite expanded benefit commitments, and warned that the issue is not only a legal but also a moral failure.

Opposition also came from lawmakers. Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago criticized the bicameral conference committee’s decision to increase MAIFIP funding, noting that the program does not meet immediate health needs.

She said access to medical assistance continues to depend on political connections, and that funding through guarantee letters reinforces patronage politics while public hospitals remain understaffed and under-resourced.

Amid growing backlash, Sen. Risa Hontiveros proposed a special provision to allocate P15 billion, or 30 percent of MAIFI, to the zero balance billing (ZBB) program in local government unit hospitals. She said this would expand coverage beyond the 86 Department of Health-run hospitals, allowing more Filipinos to receive free hospitalization.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) is negotiating with PhilHealth to subsidize indigent patients admitted in private hospitals beyond the 10 percent charity bed allocation mandated by law.

PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said the arrangement would reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients placed in private rooms when charity beds are full, while avoiding operational strain on hospitals. Some private hospitals have begun implementing ZBB for charity beds, though full adoption nationwide has yet to occur.

In a related development, the House approved House Bill 6636 on third and final reading, institutionalizing the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The bill sets eligibility criteria, strengthens safeguards, introduces grievance mechanisms, and establishes a centralized database to prevent duplication of aid.(MyTVCebu)