Health groups to lawmakers: Increase PhilHealth budget, not MAIFIP funding

PHILHEALTH BUDGET. Advocates led by the Healthcare Professionals Alliance After COVID-19 push for a higher 2027 budget for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in a press conference on October 6, 2026. Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring/Rappler Funding for MAIFIP — described as 'soft pork' — could double in 2027, while PhilHealth may face a significant budget gap Healthcare workers criticized the House of Representatives' budget amendments review subcommittee for not increasing the proposed 2027 budget for PhilHealth. The subcommittee recommended a significant increase in funding for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, which advocates have labeled as politicized. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. MANILA, Philippines – Healthcare workers and advocates criticized the House of Representatives’ budget amendments review subcommittee (BARSc) for not recommending an increase in the proposed 2027 budget of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and instead seeking to hike funding for controversial medical aid. On Tuesday, October 6, some 70 medical societies and healthcare workers’ groups under the Healthcare Professionals Alliance After COVID-19 (HPAAC) urged Congress to “decisively close” the P170-billion funding shortfall for PhilHealth. Even after the BARSc hearing last Thursday, October 1, PhilHealth’s proposed spending plan for 2027 is set to remain at P74.4 billion — at least in the House’s version. In a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Antonio Dans, HPAAC convenor, said that amount may be exhausted by PhilHealth as early as March next year. “Naghihingalo ang PhilHealth (PhilHealth is at risk),” Social Watch Philippines co-convenor Maria Victoria Raquiza also said. “One of the best ways to sabotage PhilHealth is to not provide it the funding that it needs. And because it is not being given the funding that it needs, it’s not able to do its job in the right way,” she added. HPAAC also called for the transfer of the budget for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program directly to the state health insurer. Civil society groups have branded MAIFIP as “soft pork,” describing it as a “politicized discretionary program” that forces Filipinos to “beg for life-saving services.” The BARSc recommended an additional P24.97 billion for MAIFIP, pushing it to P49.19 billion from the P24.23 billion under the 2027 National Expenditure Program. It’s the second biggest proposed increase from the BARSc. The subcommittee also suggested boosting funding for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, nationally procured commodities for prevention and control of communicable disease, and operations of regional hospitals, all under the Department of Health. HPAAC also sought the immediate release of P311 billion to PhilHealth — accumulated from previous years — to strengthen benefit packages and reduce Filipinos’ out-of-pocket healthcare spending. The total figure includes around P133 billion in sin tax collections, some P62 billion from revenues of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and over P112 billion appropriated by law. While having an original proposal of P379 billion for the state insurer, health officials have asked lawmakers to restore at least P244 billion to fully implement benefit expansion, as well as cover projected insurance claims of indirect contributors next year. Could the P74-billion budget hamper PhilHealth’s planned benefit expansion? Dans said this may happen, and also warned that digging into the state insurer’s reserve fund would be dangerous. Under Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, PhilHealth’s reserve fund should be equal to two years’ worth of projected program expenditures. Dr. Jeremy Cordero, also from HPAAC, said not granting a budget of at least P244 billion to PhilHealth may result in late payments, which could push hospitals to opt out of the state insurer. He said geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas “could be left behind” in this scenario. Advocates now plan to raise the issue to senators. They expect senators to decrease funding for MAIFIP, with Dans saying that lawmakers from the upper chamber have a “very jaded view” of the program. Worries remain, however, that when the bicameral conference committee convenes, higher MAIFIP funding would emerge — just like the experience in the 2026 budget. “We’re just hoping they feel the burden,” Dans said, referring to lawmakers. “Nakikita lang nila ‘yong naabutan nila ng pera. ‘Yong mga ‘di nila naabutan ng pera, ‘yon ‘yong mga lumalapit sa amin.” (The lawmakers only see those they give aid to. But those who were not able to receive money are the ones who come to us doctors.) – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading