Hontiveros pushes clear DOH rules on medical aid

MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that a new administrative order on medical assistance clearly details procedures and requirements, while eliminating patronage politics as mandated by the 2026 national budget.

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said the revised guidelines for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Persons (MAIFIP) must ultimately make financial aid easier and faster to access for patients.

“Klaro ang naging desisyon namin sa Senado at House: Hindi na dapat mag-door-to-door pa sa mga opisina ng pulitiko para manlimos ng guarantee letters para lang makapagpagamot,” Hontiveros said. (“Our decision in the Senate and House was clear: Patients should no longer go door-to-door to politicians’ offices to beg for guarantee letters just to get treatment.”)

She added that the DOH must ensure the new MAIFIP guidelines reduce, not increase, the burden on patients and their families.

“Kaya inaasahan ko na klaro din sa DOH na ang bagong guidelines… ay dapat magpadali sa pagkuha ng tulong at hindi lalong magpahirap,” she said. (“I expect the DOH’s new guidelines to make assistance easier to obtain, not harder.”)

Hontiveros also emphasized that reforms under the 2026 budget, including the “anti-epal” provision authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy “Ping” Lacson to curb credit-grabbing and political mediation, should be sustained beyond the fiscal year.

To institutionalize the changes, Hontiveros said she is ready to begin interpellations on Senate Bill No. 1593, or the proposed Universal Health Care Medical Assistance Program (UHC MAP), which seeks to provide financial aid directly to hospitals and patients.

“Kapag naipasa ang batas na ito, klaro na hindi na kailangan pang manghingi ang mga pasyente ng GL sa mga pulitiko,” she said. (“Once this bill is passed, patients will no longer need to ask politicians for guarantee letters.”)

Under the proposal, patients would apply through hospital medical social workers and receive assistance within 72 hours.

“Tuldukan na natin ang panlilimos para sa GL,” Hontiveros said. (“Let us end the begging for guarantee letters.”)

“Lahat ng nangangailangan, dapat mabigyan ng tulong. Walang kapalit. Walang kondisyon. Walang palakasan.” (“Everyone in need should receive help—no strings attached, no conditions, no favoritism.”)