By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision to ensure a healthy Filipino citizenry and a nationwide rollout of the zero-balance billing policy on patients confined in government-accredited health institutions, Malacañang introduced the Medical Assistance for Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIPP).
Ditto zero balance billing policy, this initiative guarantees full coverage of the medical expenses of patients in basic or ward accommodation in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the DOH plans to increase the budget for MAIFIPP next year to implement the zero-balance billing policy in hospitals under local government units (LGUs).
Castro told the media, “Ang plano po kasi dito ng DOH ay mai-angat at maitaas po ang budget ng MAIFIPP dahil po ito ay para mas matugunan po iyong zero balance billing sa LGUs.”
“May mga ospital po dito na hindi po kaugnay ng DOH hospitals at nais pong palawakin pa ang serbisyo sa ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan po ng pagbibigay din po ng zero balance billing sa LGU hospitals.”
She moreover declared that MAIFIPP will remain insulated from politics, and will not land in the hands of politicians in contrast to speculations from some lawmakers regarding the DOH’s health initiative.
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