MANILA, Philippines — Patients seeking medical assistance in government hospitals no longer need to secure “guarantee letters” from politicians or lawmakers to get treatment covered, the Department of Health (DOH) announced this week.
Under the 2026 national budget law, provisions were included to stop politicians from intervening in the distribution of medical aid and other forms of financial support, aiming to curb political influence and patronage in health assistance programs. This move complements the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy that ensures eligible patients in Department of Health-run hospitals are discharged without out-of-pocket charges for services covered by PhilHealth.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized that the DOH itself does not require or issue guarantee letters for patients seeking aid at government hospitals where zero balance billing is in effect. Patients can go directly to authorized DOH offices to apply for help if they qualify under existing health assistance programs.
Guarantee letters have traditionally been used under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program to secure financial aid for hospital bills, with politicians endorsing individuals as guarantors. Critics have long argued that this practice fosters dependence on political connections rather than transparent eligibility rules.
While private hospitals that partner with the DOH may still accept guarantee letters under specific agreements, patients in DOH-run facilities are now covered by zero balance billing, eliminating the need to seek political backing for financial assistance.
Officials expect updated guidelines for MAIFIP implementation to be released soon, clarifying the program’s rules and streamlining access to medical support without political mediation.