Put money where your mouth is on Zero Balance Billing, Tinio tells government amid DOH budget cuts
Representative Antonio Tinio has urged the Philippine government to restore budget cuts for public hospitals, arguing that current reductions threaten the Universal Health Care and Zero Balance Billing programs. He highlighted severe understaffing and bed shortages as major obstacles to effective public health delivery.
Why it matters
The conflict underscores the challenges of funding public health infrastructure in developing nations while attempting to maintain universal coverage mandates.
Manila Bulletin - Put money where your mouth is on Zero Balance Billing, Tinio tells government amid DOH budget cuts
Put money where your mouth is on Zero Balance Billing, Tinio tells government amid DOH budget cuts
Rep. Antonio Tinio calls for restoring cuts in DOH hospitals' personnel services and operating budgets to protect Universal Health Care and Zero Balance Billing.
He cites reductions at Rizal Medical Center and the National Center for Mental Health, warning they worsen understaffing and limit hospital capacity.
He criticizes the lack of systematic bed expansion, noting only 30,000 authorized beds versus rising demand, and vows to raise the issue in plenary debates.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
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