Senator Bong Go filed a measure at the start of the 20th Congress seeking to institutionalize the issuance of PhilHealth cards to all Filipinos.
The proposed legislation, titled the PhilHealth Card Act of 2025, aims to reinforce public awareness and recognition of individual coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
In its explanatory note, Go underscored the constitutional basis for this initiative and the persistent gaps in awareness despite full population coverage.
The veteran legislator cited Article XIII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that “the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.”
Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, ensures that every Filipino citizen is automatically included in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
Despite these provisions, challenges persist in providing all Filipinos seamless access to healthcare services, particularly due to a lack of awareness of PhilHealth membership.
As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, the seasoned lawmaker cited that several instances were also reported that many Filipinos are still wary of going to hospitals because of expected costs.
The senator pointed out the discrepancy in statistical coverage and actual registration.
“As of the first semester of 2024, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reported that all 112.89 million Filipinos were covered under the NHIP, setting the coverage rate at 100%,” he said.
“However, data indicates that by the end of 2023, only 96% of Filipinos were registered with PhilHealth, leaving approximately 4% of the population, or around 4.52 million individuals, unregistered,” Go added.
“According to PhilHealth,” Go continued, “around 27.8 million Filipinos are currently enrolled in its Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) program. This discrepancy suggests that while all Filipinos are covered by PhilHealth, not all are aware of their PhilHealth membership.”
The proposed law, if passed, reiterates PhilHealth’s mandate to issue a health card or any valid proof of identification to all registered members of the NHIP, including indirect contributors such as indigents. While the physical card is not required to avail of benefits, the bill aims to increase visibility and utilization of services.
Go however clarified that the absence of the health card shall not prejudice the right of any member to avail of benefits or medical services under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
“The health card shall not be necessary in the availment of PhilHealth benefits, and shall only be used for purposes of membership information and utilization recording under the National Health Insurance Program.”
“The health card shall not be necessary in the availment of PhilHealth benefits, and shall only be used for purposes of membership information and utilization recording under the National Health Insurance Program,” he explained stressing its purpose to also raise awareness on health benefits due to Filipinos from the government.
Furthermore, the bill allows for the integration of PhilHealth membership data with the national ID system.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa PhilHealth, at kasama na po rito ang aking filed Senate Bill which mandates PhilHealth to issue proof of identification to its members. I-tie up ninyo with National ID, ok lang sa akin. Or you may issue an ID na mura lang po. Hindi kailangan mahal. Ang importante mayroon ipapakita iyung pasyente sa ospital at alam nila na miyembro sila ng PhilHealth,” Go said.
Having a PhilHealth ID, according to him, would lessen the fear of Filipinos of going to hospitals for medical check-ups and raise their awareness on the benefits due to them.
“Napakahalaga po sa mga kababayan natin na mayroon silang hawak at alam nila ang mga benefits na pwede nilang makuha para hindi sila mag-alangan na magpa-check up o magpa-admit sa ospital.”
“Napakahalaga po sa mga kababayan natin na mayroon silang hawak at alam nila ang mga benefits na pwede nilang makuha para hindi sila mag-alangan na magpa-check up o magpa-admit sa ospital dahil nandiyan po ang PhilHealth na kanilang masasandalan,” Go underscored.
In recent years, he has called on PhilHealth to widen its coverage, maximize its funds to improve benefits, properly implement the UHC law, and raise awareness on its programs to protect the health of Filipinos.
“Matagal ko na po itong paulit-ulit na sinabi. Ang PhilHealth po ay para sa health ‘yan. Hindi po negosyo ang PhilHealth na papaluguin ninyo po, eh insurance po ang PhilHealth na merong masasandalan ang Pilipino tuwing tayo’y nagkakasakit,” Go concluded.
