Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday sought clarity from the Department of Health (DOH) on the funds for indigent patients, following reports that some of their guarantee letters were denied even in government hospitals.
“This is unacceptable. For someone who is sick, every second counts. Asking them to wait is not an option,” Tulfo said in a statement.
“If you no longer have funds for indigent patients, say so. Don’t give them false hope. These people didn’t choose to get sick—let’s not make their burden heavier,” Tulfo said.
The Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP) provides financial assistance for medical expenses to eligible beneficiaries.
Tulfo also raised concerns the Health Dept. may have depleted its funds under the program.
“If there are no funds left, how did that happen? Congress approved sufficient funding for MAIFIP,” Tulfo said.
He noted that some private hospitals in Region IV-A, particularly in Batangas, are considering suspending the acceptance of guarantee letters until the P530 million in allegedly unpaid claims is settled.
GMA News Online has reached out to the DOH for comment. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News