DOH backs inclusion of MAIFIP funding in 2026 budget

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday expressed support for the inclusion of the funding for medical aid program MAIFIP in the 2026 proposed budget, en route to the full implementation of Universal Health Care program and decreasing out-of-pocket medical expenses.

EXPLAINER: What is DOH's MAIFIP program?

“As the Department continues its pursuit of providing financial risk protection, we respectfully submit our proposed special provision for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) to be included in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and subsequent annual budgets. This line item shall have two component funds for catastrophic health spending and for implementation of Zero Balance Billing in Local Government Unit (LGU) Hospitals,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said. 

The proposed funding for MAIFIP has been raised to P51 billion for 2026, after lawmakers finalizing next year’s national budget approved an increase.

The DOH’s proposed special provisions include:

• the amount appropriated under the MAIFIP should be used for hospitalization and medical assistance to patients and further expand financial coverage under the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.
• not more than 20% of the total amount of MAIFP will be spent on inpatient services, outpatient services, comprehensive checkups, emergency services, dental services, ambulatory care services, ophthalmology services, drugs, and medicines as approved by the FDA, and professional fees, subject to the guidelines issued by the DOH.
• only 2% of the MAIFP should be used for administrative expenses.

Likewise, the DOH called for a provision allowing Regional Offices to enter into a memorandum of agreement with health facilities such as, but not limited to, DOH hospitals including the four specialty hospitals; State Universities and Colleges (SUC) hospitals; and LGU hospitals and medical services, including clinical laboratories, primary health care facilities, DOH-accredited dental clinics and free standing dialysis clinics, ambulatory surgical clinics, and eye centers, both private and public, intended for the indigent and financially-incapacitated patients, subject to the guidelines issued by the DOH.

In addition, DOH said its regional offices should also be able to enter into a MOA with private hospitals and clinical laboratories for health and medical services intended for the indigent or financially incapacitated patients, which the government hospitals are unable to provide, subject to the guidelines issued by the DOH.

Further, the DOH said that the MAIFP should also cover emergency cases handled by private health facilities, provided that the private health facility where the patient is brought is the closest in distance and is able to provide the services needed by the patient at the time of emergency.

“These proposed special provisions aim to provide not only catastrophic health funding but will be used for expanded implementation of the Zero Balance Billing Initiative to LGU hospitals, ensuring that more Filipinos have access to health services and are protected from financial risk,” Herbosa added.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David earlier criticized the MAIFIP, calling it a "health pork barrel" and warning that it would be used by politicians to continue their "system of patronage" against their own constituents.

In response, the Palace said that MAIFIP funds will not go through politicians, but would be released directly to LGU hospitals, with the DOH implementing the program.

During the bicam meeting, Senator Loren Legarda said that, “in an ideal world,” there should be no need for guarantee letters from senators and congressmen.

“But until such time that the Universal Health Care law is fully and properly implemented and PhilHealth is able to handle all of this, I believe that we must provide for the poorest of the poor,” Legarda said. — BM, GMA Integrated News