FILE

Senator Christopher Go has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case of the late Marvin Sulit, whose family questioned why his medical expenses were reportedly not covered by PhilHealth despite years of paying contributions.

The issue drew public attention after Maria Lourdes Sulit shared their ordeal on social media following the death of her husband, who suffered a brain hematoma and was being transferred to another hospital for treatment when he passed away.

Go expressed his condolences to the Sulit family and said the incident raised serious concerns that deserve a full explanation. He stressed the need to determine why PhilHealth benefits were allegedly not applied, especially since the state insurer had already scrapped the controversial 24-hour confinement requirement under its emergency care benefit package.

The senator said it would be unacceptable if the old policy was still being enforced, noting that PhilHealth receives billions of pesos in funding each year aside from the contributions paid by its members. He also pointed to the series of public hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Health during the 19th Congress, where he pushed for reforms within the agency.

Go emphasized that PhilHealth should prioritize providing financial assistance to Filipinos seeking medical care and not merely accumulate funds, stressing that the agency's resources come from taxpayers and contributors and should be returned to the public through accessible health services.

Amid the controversy, PhilHealth issued a statement on June 14 expressing sympathy to the Sulit family and confirming that it had immediately acted upon learning of the incident. The state insurer said it had already reached out to the victim's wife and that both parties had agreed on the next steps while exploring all available forms of assistance.

PhilHealth also said it is coordinating with the hospitals involved to better understand the circumstances surrounding the case as part of its efforts to improve its responsiveness to members. The agency reiterated its commitment to supporting Filipinos, particularly during times of medical emergencies.

The controversy has renewed calls for reforms in the country's healthcare system and prompted questions over the implementation of PhilHealth policies. The state insurer had earlier introduced its Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit package to expand coverage for emergency cases and address concerns over the previous 24-hour confinement requirement.

As of Saturday, PhilHealth said it was continuing to coordinate with the hospitals involved and review all possible means of support for the Sulit family.