Dabawenyo senator Christopher “Bong” Go has raised alarm over reports that several private hospitals have temporarily stopped accepting guarantee letters, citing significant delays in government reimbursements meant to subsidize patient medical expenses.
In a statement released Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Go expressed concern that the refusal to honor guarantee letters could further burden financially struggling patients who rely on government assistance for their hospital bills.
“Ako ay nababahala sa desisyon ng ilang private hospitals na huwag munang tumanggap ng mga guarantee letters na napakahalaga para mabawasan sana ang hospital bills ng mga pasyente natin (I am concerned about the decision of some private hospitals to temporarily stop accepting guarantee letters, which are very important in helping reduce the hospital bills of our patients),” Go said.
He acknowledged the plight of hospitals that are grappling with operational challenges due to mounting collectibles, saying that it is difficult to sustain hospital operations without sufficient cash flow to procure medical supplies and pay healthcare workers.
“Naiintindihan natin na mahirap naman talaga mag-operate ang isang ospital kung marami pang collectibles o singilin. Paano ka mag-operate kung wala kang cash na magagamit pambili ng supplies at pambayad sa medical personnel? (We understand that it’s really difficult for a hospital to operate when there are still many collectibles or unpaid accounts. How can you run a hospital if you don’t have the cash to buy supplies and pay medical personnel),” he said.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, called on the Department of Health (DOH) to act swiftly and prioritize the settlement of outstanding balances with private hospitals.
According to recent reports, government payables to hospitals under the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program have reached P530 million.
“Umaapela tayo sa DOH na bigyan ito ng pansin at i-settle agad ang mga bayarin sa private hospital (We are appealing to the Department of Health [DOH] to give this matter attention and immediately settle the outstanding payments to private hospitals),” Go urged.
He also pressed the DOH for transparency on the root cause of the delays, questioning whether the bottleneck lies within the Department of Health or the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Go emphasized that the funds being withheld are public funds meant to serve the people, especially the poor and sick, through proper medical assistance.
“Pera ng Pilipino 'yan, dapat lang na ibalik sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng maayos na medical assistance. Dapat ding klaruhin ng DOH: Bakit ang tagal bayaran? Saan ba nagtatagal? Sa DBM ba o sa DOH? Ano ba ang inuuna ninyo?” he asked.
The senator concluded with a reminder of the real-world consequences of bureaucratic inaction, saying, “Tandaan natin, sa bawat minuto na may delay ay posibleng buhay ang kapalit. Buhay ng mga Pilipino ang nakataya dito” (Let us remember, every minute of delay could cost a life. The lives of Filipinos are at stake here). DEF
