“GALIT ANG MGA TAO” — PUBLIC FURY PUSHES PHILHEALTH TO SCRAP 24-HOUR CONFINEMENT RULE AS SENATOR BONG GO LEADS HEALTH REFORMS CRUSADE

At a time when healthcare remains a critical concern for Filipinos, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has renewed attention on longstanding policies that many argue disproportionately affect the poor. Among these is the outdated 24-hour confinement rule of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), a regulation that once limited coverage for emergency outpatient services to cases where patients were confined for at least 24 hours.

“Kalokohan (ito) at anti-poor,” Senator Go declared previously, where he urged PhilHealth to expedite its reforms to ensure accessibility for patients with urgent needs.

His pronouncements against the policy resonated deeply, gathering comments from frustrated citizens sharing their personal struggles under the defunct rule.

One commenter, Jo-Ed, shared their frustration over PhilHealth’s policies: “Tama po, sir. Sana po gawin ng PhilHealth ‘yan kaysa mapunta lang sa korapsyon ang pera. Sa taumbayan na lang nila ibigay, dahil para sa taumbayan ang PhilHealth.”

Another, Jamil, pointed out the glaring inequity of the policy: “Opo, dapat itong tanggalin kasi maraming hindi natutulungan kapag hindi umabot ng 24 hours. Samantalang malaki din ang bayarin kahit sa isang iglap lang sa ospital. Kawawa ‘yung mga pasyente lalo na kung namatay, kailangan pang mailabas agad.”

Aldagate expressed hope that PhilHealth would focus on preventive care: “Dapat nga mas nagpo-focus sila sa preventive care, tulad ng… libreng annual check-up, preventative dental care, physio, chiro, day surgeries, hearing aids, prescription eyeglasses, at iba pa. Mas healthy ang miyembro, mas mabuti dahil mababawasan ang gastos sa beneficiaries at health insurance.”

Others detailed the logistical and systemic hurdles faced by patients. Chad lamented, “Nakakagalit at nakakafrustrate ang health system sa atin. Ang hirap mag-avail! Ang daming kailangan ipa-clear sa iba’t ibang department.”

Shella shared their frustration with the lack of coverage, adding a humorous touch: “Ganito ‘yung sa ‘kin, walang bawas kase ‘di na-admit. Nagsisi tuloy ako… Dapat nagsabi na lang ako na ‘in pain’ pa ako ng level 8-10. Char.”

For many, Senator Go’s Malasakit Centers have served as a vital support system, especially when PhilHealth’s limitations leave patients in financial distress. Manilhynn recounted how a Malasakit Center provided relief after PhilHealth’s 24-hour rule left them without coverage:

“Katulad na lang ng nangyari sa anak ko—nagsusuka siya kaya dinala ko sa ospital ng 7 PM. Nasweruhan at naturukan ng pampatigil ng suka. By 2 AM, okay na siya at pinalabas na kami. Naging bill namin 2k mahigit, pero dahil wala pang 24 hours, hindi nagamit ang bulok na PhilHealth. Buti na lang talaga may Malasakit Center. Zero balance kami dahil doon. Maraming salamat, Bong Go, sa malasakit n’yo sa mahihirap.”

During a Senate Committee on Health hearing chaired by Senator Go on December 18, PhilHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eli Dino Santos confirmed that the 24-hour confinement rule had been repealed. The decision was part of an effort to dismantle anti-poor policies and expand the agency’s coverage.

“The second to the last item is repeal of anti-poor policies such as the 24-hour confinement policy, which prevents the coverage of emergency outpatient services for patients not needing facility admission. We have already removed this through the expanded coverage for emergency and urgent care package,” Santos stated.

The official guidelines for the repeal of the 24-hour confinement policy and the development of the emergency outpatient benefit services will soon be issued by PhilHealth, according to their officials.

This policy shift was welcomed by many who had long criticized PhilHealth’s systemic problems. One commenter, Najim, agreed: “Tama si Senator Bong Go. Dapat alisin ‘yan kasi meron talagang mga pasyente na hindi kailangan mag-confine ng 24 hours pero kailangan pa rin ng tulong ng PhilHealth. Hindi porket hindi umabot ng 24 hours ay hindi na covered ng PhilHealth.”

Still, challenges remain. DCI Car Rentals observed: “The problem with our health insurance system, just like any other insurance services here in the Philippines, is that they are better at aggressive collection of insurance fees and contributions but too slow or have no immediate action when we process insurance claims. It seems like we are just being used as a milking cow.”

While many applauded the repeal of the 24-hour rule, commenters expressed frustration over the state of public hospitals and PhilHealth’s inability to address systemic inefficiencies. Lanie noted, “Yes, unang matamaan sa zero subsidy ay ang mga indirect contributors. Kahit nasa batas, dapat may mataas na allocation ng budget. Hindi nila sinusunod—this is already betrayal of public trust.”

Kinuday pointed to inequities in accessing benefits, saying, “Tatlong beses na itong nangyari sa akin ngayong taon. Pati ang pag-ako sa bayarin ng mga laboratory tests, denied daw. Dapat daw may MOA ang ahensiya at ospital sa local PhilHealth office. Buti na lang ni-rerefer ako sa Malasakit Center.”

The repeal of the 24-hour confinement rule is a step forward, but many Filipinos believe deeper reforms are needed to create an equitable healthcare system. Senator Go’s health reforms crusade continues to press for changes that prioritize the needs of the poor, with Malasakit Centers playing a central role in bridging the gap left by existing policies.

With the challenges laid bare by Filipinos themselves, the path forward requires not just policy changes but also systemic reforms that address the root causes of inequity in healthcare access. That is why Go continues to champion initiatives aimed at making healthcare more inclusive and accessible.

“Bilang lingkod-bayan, sisiguraduhin ko na ang bawat Pilipino ay may access sa maayos na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Walang dapat maiwan sa ating adbokasiya para sa kalusugan ng bayan,” he said.

“Umasa po kayo na hindi ko titigilan ang PhilHealth hangga’t hindi nila natutupad ang iba pa nilang commitments sa mga Pilipino tulad ng kanilang pangako na taasan ang case rates; palawakin ang benefit packages; babaan ang premium contribution; i-cover ang dental, visual, emergency, out-patient at preventive care; magbigay ng libreng gamot, libreng salamin at wheelchair para sa mahihirap na Pilipino, at iba pa,” he enumerated.