Senator questions DOH funding amid reported patient denial in hospitals

Metro Manila, Philippines - A senator is questioning the funding of the Department of Health (DOH) amid reports of indigent patients being denied treatment in hospitals.

In a statement on Sunday, July 13, Senator Erwin Tulfo said some patients who sought assistance from his office were told by government hospital staff to return “another day” despite presenting guarantee letters.

“This is unacceptable. For someone who is sick, every second counts. Asking them to wait is not an option,” Tulfo said.

The neophyte senator told the DOH to admit if it lacks the budget and to not give false hopes to patients.

“If there are no funds left, how did that happen? Congress approved sufficient funding for MAIFIP—or the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program,” he said.

'Higher PhilHealth amounts, shorter waiting time'

In response, DOH spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said the agency is “increasing the amounts” the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) pays to hospitals while “decreasing the waiting time to do so.”

Domingo said PhilHealth payment “should be better” than through the MAIFIP system.

“It is best for all Philippine hospitals to review the Universal Health Care Act - always assess the paying capacity of patients and admit them to basic or ward accommodation for zero balance billing, or refer them to nearby DOH or government hospitals,” the spokesman said in a message to NewsWatch Plus.

“The DOH, in its hospitals, does not use guarantee letters. It is only the DOH budget for the hospital, PhilHealth reimbursements, and if still needed, MAIFIP that is based on the professional assessment of a medical social worker,” he added.

Domingo also said payment to specific private hospitals is underway.