Manila: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday called on the national government to expand the 'no-balance billing' (NBB) policy to cover local government hospitals, following a surge of patients in Department of Health (DOH)-accredited facilities.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian emphasized that the high turnout of patients highlights the need to broaden the NBB policy, which ensures that indigent patients pay nothing for services covered by PhilHealth, beyond national hospitals. He stated, "Such a situation demands the need for the national government to expand the NBB policy to include all local government hospitals by downloading subsidies to LGUs."

Gatchalian further explained that expanding the coverage would serve as a 'strong safety net' for poor Filipinos who often face barriers in accessing medical services due to financial constraints. He remarked, "A broader program will serve as a strong safety net for our people to ensure that every Filipino in need of medical treatment, especially our poor countrymen, will not be deprived of healthcare services simply because of lack of money."

The senator also expressed support for additional funding for PhilHealth, including a proposed PHP74.4-billion supplemental budget, to fully implement the Universal Health Care law and sustain the NBB program in public health facilities.