#BeyondElections2016 | All the presidential bets vow to continue Philhealth. But has this so-called universal health care program benefited the Filipino people?

The 2015 National Government budget for PhilHealth rose to Php39.1 billion from only Php3.5 billion in 2011. It is now said to cover 87% of the entire population as of 2013.

Yet, according to latest available data, only 11.5% of total health expenditures are paid by PhilHealth. It pays for only 5% of medicine and lab expenses while 70% of total hospital bills is still paid by patients through salary, loan or sale of property. Also, only 50% of indigent claims are fully covered by the program.