Marcos backs PhilHealth–St. Luke’s zero co-pay agreement
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advanced efforts to widen access to quality health care as PhilHealth and St. Luke’s Medical Center–Global City formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement.
The Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development are supporting the initiative.
Marcos, DOH Secretary Dr. Edwin M. Mercado and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian attended the signing ceremony with PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho and St. Luke’s Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Dennis P. Serrano.
In his keynote address, Marcos emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in expanding access to health care.
He said stronger partnerships with private institutions such as St. Luke’s Medical Center–Global City could help provide Filipinos with world-class medical care under PhilHealth’s No Co-Pay policy for basic accommodation.
“Walang pinipiling tao ang sakit. Anyone can suddenly face the medical emergency that requires immediate treatment or specialized care. This administration remains committed to making quality health care accessible and affordable to more Filipinos. Malinaw ang ating hangarin, hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kakulangan sa pera para makakuha ng kinakailangang atensiyong medikal,” President Marcos Jr. expressed.
The agreement covers collaboration on key health care reforms and the establishment of performance-based incentive systems for health care providers.
It will also support evidence-based policymaking and research.
Under the agreement, St. Luke’s Medical Center–Global City will maintain at least 10 percent of its total bed capacity as basic or ward accommodation.
The allocation will allow eligible PhilHealth members to access the hospital’s advanced medical services with zero co-payment for covered cases and services.
The arrangement supports Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which automatically includes every Filipino citizen in the National Health Insurance Program and grants members immediate eligibility for health benefits.
The law also provides that patients should not be charged a co-payment for covered services delivered in basic or ward accommodation, according to the Senate of the Philippines.
“The Universal Health Care Act guarantees every Filipino immediate eligibility and access to necessary care whenever they need it. On our end, PhilHealth will ensure that shared commitments are not just admirable but sustainable through clearer benchmarks, recognition of efficiency, and appropriate payment design as intended by the UHC Act,” said Dr. Ho.
Dr. Serrano said the partnership would help patients navigate and fully use their health insurance benefits.
“We recognize the vital role that PhilHealth plays in providing financial protection and expanding access to healthcare. By working together, we can help eligible patients better understand and maximize their benefits while making their healthcare journey more seamless and responsive.”
The collaboration reflects the growing role of public-private partnerships in Philippine health care reform as PhilHealth and St. Luke’s pursue practical measures to strengthen the National Health Insurance Program and improve health service delivery.
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