Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed concern over reports that some private hospitals have temporarily stopped accepting guarantee letters (GLs) due to unpaid government obligations amounting to around ₱530 million.
The debt stems from the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program, which aims to support financially struggling Filipinos seeking medical care.
Go called on the Department of Health (DOH) to clarify and expedite the payment process. He questioned whether the delay lies within the DOH or the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
He emphasized that public funds must be returned to the people in the form of timely medical assistance. For him, the government has a responsibility to ensure that these funds benefit those most in need.
Go warned that if the issue isn’t resolved immediately, patients’ lives could be put at risk, especially those who rely on government-backed healthcare services.
His statement came amid growing frustration from hospitals dealing with delayed reimbursements under the MAIFIP program. The refusal to accept GLs, he stressed, may severely impact indigent patients who have no other means to pay for treatment.
The senator emphasized that healthcare should remain accessible and uninterrupted, and urged all involved agencies to act swiftly to avoid further complications.
