The Department of Health’s Zero-Balance Billing (ZBB) program for the poor has so far spent P26.4 billion to cover the hospital treatment of 298,221 patients, the DOH announced on September 6.
The DOH said the P26.4 billion in combined billings covered the basic accommodation for patients in government-owned or DOH hospitals.
“This is a milestone. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and I are going around hospitals, and he sees the patients who are happy to be sent home without paying for anything,” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a radio interview on Saturday.
“As the President said, we are getting closer and closer to reaching our goal of universal health coverage,” Herbosa added.
Under the ZBB, patients in DOH hospitals no longer have to pay for medical services, medicines, and the professional fees of doctors.
The DOH also reported that the daily average admissions in DOH hospitals increased from 3,297 to 4,067 since the policy was announced.
“Itinuloy na po natin ang zero balance billing. Libre po (We have continued the zero balance billing. It’s free),” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28.
Medical assistance is funded by the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and the regular allocation to DOH hospitals. The ZBB is in addition to the financial support from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
“The DOH will continue implementing the Zero Balance Billing and is preparing funds for it in 2026,” the DOH said.
The DOH said its proposed budget of P320 billion for 2026 will focus on further expanding the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.
Of the amount, at least P260.2 billion will be allocated for the ZBB, deployment of healthcare workers and professionals, and other programs under UHC. (PNA)
