Manila: The Zero-Balance Billing (ZBB) program for the poor has already benefited some 298,221 patients, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday. The DOH reported that this equates to PHP26.4 billion in combined billing for patients admitted for basic accommodation in DOH hospitals.

According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative marks a significant milestone, as noted by DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. He shared that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and he have been visiting hospitals and witnessing the joy of patients who are discharged without having to pay. President Marcos emphasized that the nation is progressing towards achieving universal health coverage.

Under the ZBB program, patients admitted to DOH hospitals are exempt from paying for medical services, medicines, and doctors' professional fees. The DOH also noted an increase in the daily average of admissions, rising from 3,297 to 4,067 since the implementation of the policy.

President Marcos reaffirmed the commitment to the ZBB during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, highlighting the continuation of the free billing initiative. Funding for this medical assistance comes from several sources, including the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and allocations to DOH hospitals. This support is in addition to financial aid from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

The DOH remains committed to the implementation of the Zero-Balance Billing policy and is preparing the necessary funds for 2026. The department's proposed PHP320 billion budget for 2026 aims to further expand Universal Health Care (UHC) programs, with at least PHP260.2 billion dedicated to the ZBB, deployment of healthcare workers, and other UHC initiatives.