Politics · Philippines Bureau
Lawmaker pushes DOH to curb doctors' inflated professional fees
The House of Representatives has signaled willingness to fund Department of Health programs adequately, but lawmakers are pressing the agency to address concerns over excessive professional fees charged by physicians.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — While prepared to allocate sufficient budget resources to the Department of Health, members of the House of Representatives are urging the agency to take measures against doctors charging inflated professional fees.
Parañaque Representative Brian Raymund expressed the concern in a statement Wednesday, indicating that budget availability should not become an excuse for the DOH to overlook cost control issues within the health system.
The lawmaker's call reflects broader concerns about healthcare affordability for Filipino patients, as professional fees represent a significant portion of medical expenses in both public and private health facilities.
The House has previously demonstrated commitment to health sector funding, though lawmakers increasingly emphasize that additional resources must be paired with stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure efficiency and prevent abuse.
The DOH has not yet issued a formal response to the legislative directive, though the agency typically coordinates with Congress on implementation matters affecting healthcare delivery and patient access.