Marcos Jr. pledges zero-balance billing for hospital stays

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced during his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 28, that the government will cover all expenses incurred by patients admitted to basic or ward accommodations in DOH-listed hospitals.

Patients admitted to these facilities are eligible for zero-balance billing under PhilHealth without needing additional documentation, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

The policy aims to ease financial burdens on Filipinos and ensure equal access to health services as mandated by the Universal Health Care Law.

However, concerns remain about the sustainability of the program due to budget cuts and staffing issues within the health sector.

While the initiative seeks to address systemic healthcare challenges, doubts persist regarding its effectiveness in reaching those in remote areas.