MANILA – Senator Bam Aquino is urging the government to expand PhilHealth’s share in hospital expenses and intensify the public information drive on the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program to ease the healthcare burden on Filipinos.

During the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget hearing, Aquino pressed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to publish and disseminate a comprehensive list of hospitals covered by ZBB, along with clear instructions on how patients can access the program.

“Kutob ko po, hindi ito alam ng taumbayan. I don’t think they know that this is already available to them. Kawawa rin po ay pipila talaga sa mga opisina po namin. Hindi ho dapat ganon. Kung meron na tayong ganitong programa, dapat iyong hospital should be able to pay for it already,” Aquino said, noting that healthcare should not depend on political connections.

“Hindi na kailangan dumaan pa sa amin. Ayaw ko na makakakuha ka lang ng healthcare dahil may kakilala ka. Dapat dahil Pilipino ka, makakakuha ka ng tulong,” he added.

The senator, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, emphasized the need for hospitals to provide upfront guidance during admission so patients can make informed choices.

“Ang nangyayari ngayon, the bill comes later at nagkakagulatan. Kung alam ng tao na may option na libre, marami ang pipili nito. Kaso ngayon, hindi pa malinaw ang impormasyon,” he explained.

Aquino also pushed for larger PhilHealth subsidies for patients who opt not to stay in shared accommodations. “Hindi lang po twenty-seven thousand or thirty-four thousand, pero sana a certainty na may porsyento ng bill ko na kayang kargahin ng PhilHealth,” he said.

To improve transparency and access, Aquino proposed the creation of an online tracker showing ZBB bed availability in government and LGU-run hospitals. This, he said, would help patients find available facilities and guide lawmakers in allocating funds to address shortages.

“Nakikita ninyo kung napupuno ba iyong mga shared accommodation o hindi, para alam din ng tao saan siya pupunta. Tayo rin, dahil namo-monitor po natin na laging puno, popondohan natin para dumami iyong beds,” Aquino said.

Herbosa welcomed Aquino’s proposals, noting that they complement the DOH’s ongoing efforts to strengthen universal healthcare access.