Marcos pushes private hospitals to adopt PhilHealth no-copay program

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday renewed efforts to expand healthcare access by urging private hospitals to adopt PhilHealth's no balance billing and no-copayment policies. The presidential appeal was made during the signing of a memorandum of agreement aimed at reducing financial barriers to specialized medical services.

Marcos emphasized that financial constraints should not prevent Filipinos from accessing necessary specialized care. His administration has sought to strengthen partnerships with private healthcare institutions to extend the benefits of PhilHealth's expanded coverage programs beyond public facilities.

The move represents part of the government's broader strategy to improve healthcare equity by leveraging both public and private sector resources. By encouraging private hospitals to align with PhilHealth's no-copay framework, authorities aim to create a more inclusive medical system that prioritizes patient access over out-of-pocket expenses.

The memorandum of agreement underscores the administration's commitment to ensuring that healthcare decisions are not driven by financial hardship. Officials have signaled intentions to increase similar partnerships with additional private institutions in the coming months to expand the program's reach nationwide.