Go calls for regular review of healthcare costs

MANILA, Philippines — “What the government must do is to always check if the health services, medical equipment, and medicines are affordable so we can help each Filipino with health problems,” Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health, said in a statement.

“It is the right of every Filipino to be healthy and have equal access to healthcare services. Our work is to safeguard the interest of Filipinos, especially when it comes to health,” he said.

He also commended the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for the swift response in lowering the COVID-19 test cost after he had urged the state health insurer to revisit its rates, which were reportedly overpriced.

PhilHealth announced last week it has lowered its payment scheme for COVID-19 testing from P8,150 to P3,409.

The adjustment was because of the “increased availability and affordability of testing kits in the market,” PhilHealth said, adding the increased number of qualified facilities to do the COVID-19 testing also played an important role in lowering the cost.

Under the new payment scheme, PhilHealth will pay P3,409 as long as test kits and services are provided by the testing laboratory. If test kits are donated, PhilHealth will pay P2,077, while in public hospitals, PhilHealth will pay P901 only.

The senator earlier said he expects PhilHealth to continue to review case rates. He added that he and the committee will make sure that PhilHealth rates are in order “to get the best value of every single peso the government spends for this.”

He said as more Filipinos are adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, such as losing their jobs and livelihood, the government is working tirelessly to optimize limited resources to help Filipinos and avoid corruption in the process.

“While government maximizes its limited resources, a lot of our fellow Filipinos have also lost jobs, livelihood and savings. We are fighting for survival — as survival is the name of the game here,” Go said.

He said the funds to address the COVID-19 pandemic and cater to the needs of Filipinos must be accounted for up to the last centavo.

“Particularly in times of crisis, every peso counts,” Go said.