Manila: Administration-backed senatorial candidate and ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo on Thursday proposed full Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) coverage of hospital bills for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. Tulfo emphasized the importance of accessible and worry-free healthcare for OFWs, particularly those in low-wage jobs such as domestic work and manual labor.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo highlighted the financial relief this proposal would bring to OFWs, who often earn just enough to support their families. "This will be a huge relief for OFWs, especially those who earn just enough to support their families," he stated. "They sacrifice so much by being away from their loved ones, and they shouldn't have to worry about hospital expenses too."

As a member of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate, Tulfo noted that PhilHealth currently covers only a portion of medical expenses, leaving OFWs and their families to shoulder the remaining costs. He suggested that even a 50-percent increase in coverage would be beneficial, but full coverage would have a more significant impact.

"If PhilHealth can cover at least half of the bill, that would already be a big help. But imagine if OFWs and their families didn't have to pay anything at all," Tulfo remarked. He shared that healthcare costs for OFWs' families were a major concern raised during his recent visit to Paris, France.

Tulfo plans to file a bill seeking zero hospital billing for OFWs and their families, aiming to ease their financial burden and provide healthcare security.