Now Reading: A win for every Filipino: Restored P60B PhilHealth fund seen to secure zero-balance medical billing
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A win for every Filipino: Restored P60B PhilHealth fund seen to secure zero-balance medical billing
A win for every Filipino: Restored P60B PhilHealth fund seen to secure zero-balance medical billing
The Supreme Court’s unanimous order to return P60 billion in reserve funds to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is expected to directly benefit Filipino patients relying on zero-balance billing in public hospitals, officials and health advocates said.
The ruling struck down a provision in the 2024 General Appropriations Act and a Department of Finance circular that previously allowed the transfer of PhilHealth’s “excess funds” to the National Treasury.
The court stressed that such funds, protected under the Universal Health Care Act, cannot be treated as idle or diverted for unrelated government spending.
While Malacañang maintained that the Executive only followed Congress’ earlier directive, officials immediately assured that the government would abide by the decision.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized that the restoration aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier move to return the funds in recognition of PhilHealth’s stronger performance and expanded benefit coverage.
In an interview, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Casto said the returned funds could help sustain zero-balance billing, a policy meant to protect families from sudden hospital expenses.
“Nakita talaga ng pangulo ang importansya ng pondo lalo’t mayroon tayong zero-balance billing,” she told Super Radyo dzBB.
Health workers and advocates welcomed the ruling, calling it “a win for every Filipino.”
For many public hospitals, the decision is seen as crucial in ensuring more predictable benefit payments and easing financial strain on patients who rely on PhilHealth coverage.
Despite assurances that services were never impaired, sector groups hope the decision will prompt tighter protection of health funds.The Senate’s proposed 2026 budget already reflects the restored P60 billion, signaling the start of what many hope will be a more stable financial footing for the country’s universal health care system.
