MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has vowed to personally assess the government’s zero balance billing (ZBB) system after receiving reports of long queues and persistent difficulties faced by patients in hospitals.
Speaking in Ormoc City, Leyte during the distribution of patient transport vehicles on Monday, Marcos said he will inspect a hospital in Tacloban City to check how the policy is being carried out on the ground.
“As a matter of fact, mula rito we will be going to Tacloban to look at the… tetestingin namin ‘yung sistema ng zero billing dahil mayroon kaming nadidinig na mahaba ang pila, na mahirap pa rin,” the President said.
“Titingnan natin paano natin aayusin para ang pasyente papasok, it’s an out-patient service, ang pasyente papasok, magpapatingin, bibigyan ng reseta o kung ano ang kailangan para gamutin, pagkatapos ng konsultasyon, pupunta siya sa pharmacy, pwede na siya bumili… mayroon ‘yung reseta, may credit ‘yun,” he added.
Marcos stressed that the government is accrediting more pharmacies to ensure patients can access medicines prescribed through the program without having to pay upfront.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address last July 28, Marcos announced that the government would cover all medical expenses of Filipinos admitted in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa clarified that the PhilHealth-backed ZBB applies to patients admitted under basic accommodation or ward services, which entitles them to 100% coverage of their hospital bills.
PhilHealth also assured the public that no additional documents are required from patients availing themselves of the benefit in DOH hospitals./PN
