THE Department of Health (DOH) announced on Saturday that low-income individuals will be prioritized in the “zero-billing” program in government hospitals.
The program, which was directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his 67th birthday on September 13, will cover the costs of all inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services in 22 public hospitals nationwide.
Over P300 million has been allocated for the initiative.
“The President’s order is to cover the working class, the most vulnerable,” said DOH spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB. “We will prioritize the lower income level.”
Domingo also stated that the government aims to further reduce out-of-pocket health expenses by 2029. Currently, these expenses stand at P44 for every P100 spent on healthcare.
“We should aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum of maybe P20-P30,” Domingo said. “For people with low income, it should be reduced to zero.”
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