Universal Health Care to be fully implemented 'soon' –Marcos

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Tuesday that the Philippines is already on its way of fully implementing the Universal Health Care for all Filipinos. 

Marcos said this as he inspected the implementation of the zero balance billing system at Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BataanGHMC). 

"I'm very happy that we are instituting this program, I think it's been a long time coming and I'm glad, malapit na tayo umabot talaga sa Universal Health Care, we are 80% on the way, kulang na lang, kaunti na lang at matutupad na natin 'yung Universal Health Care," Marcos said. 

(We are near in fully implementing the Universal Health Care, we are 80% on the way, we are near in meeting our goal to fully implement the Universal Health Care.) 

''My aspiration of course is to achieve the dream of Universal Health Care for all our people. It's just a question of building up the economy so we can afford it and putting industries, the systems are all in place,'' he added. 

In 2023, Marcos approved the creation of a coordinating council for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, a venue which discusses relevant concerns that might be raised amid the implementation of the UHC law.

During his inspection at the hospital in Bataan, Marcos noticed that the medical staff are ensuring that the patients' stay in the facility is more convenient. 

'''Meron silang bagong feature dito sa Bataan General, imbes na... zero billing pa rin pero imbes na pipila sa kahera ang pasyente bago madischarge, pag malapit na madischarge 'yung pasyente eh hinahatid sa kanila 'yung kanilang zero billing at another added convenience which I think we should adopt all around the country," he said. 

The hospital has established an enhanced Patient Assist and Roving Personnel to provide hands-on support in the processing and submission of PhilHealth requirements for admitted patients. 

This process aims to eliminate delays and the burden of administrative tasks on patients as well as their family members.

The Statement of Account (SOA) is also delivered directly to the patient’s bedside, removing the need to queue at the Billing Section. 

The patients/watchers/guardians are only required to sign the document to acknowledge expenses incurred and the coverage of PhilHealth as well as the zero balance billing policy. 

To recall, it was during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28 when Marcos announced that the government would cover all expenses incurred by Filipinos at Department of Health hospitals. —VAL, GMA Integrated News