AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee welcomed the removal of the 45-day annual limit of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on hospital confinements for members and their dependents.
According to the Bicolano lawmaker, the new circular—PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-007—which took effect on April 4, is a significant advancement toward achieving comprehensive Universal Health Care in the country.
“This development ensures that all Filipinos, regardless of their medical conditions, have continuous access to necessary health services without the fear of exceeding arbitrary limits,” he said.
“Napakagandang balita nito dahil hindi naman natin ma-i-schedule kung kailan tayo gagaling lalo na sa malulubhang sakit. Malaking kabawasan ito sa pangamba at pasanin ng napakarami nating kababayan sa pagpapa-ospital,” he added.
Under the previous policy, PhilHealth members were allowed a maximum of 45 days of hospital confinement per year, while the dependents were entitled to a shared additional 45 days annually. Beyond these limits, members had to shoulder the full cost of hospitalization.
AGRI Party-list, which is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local Elections, said that the removal of the 45-day hospitalization cap is a giant step towards genuine Universal Health Care.
It then stressed that PhilHealth should ensure the effective implementation of the said policy to have a profound impact on the health care landscape in the Philippines.
“We want to ensure that all Filipinos, particularly those with chronic or severe health conditions, receive the necessary care without the added worry of financial constraints,” AGRI Party-list said.
“Patuloy nating babantayan ang maayos na implementasyon nito dahil hindi natin hahayaan na maging paasa o fake news ang PhilHealth sa mga kinakailangang serbisyong pangkalusugan,” it added.
Earlier, AGRI Party-list blasted PhilHealth amid complaints of patients over the failure to implement PhilHealth’s Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package.
Lee wrote a letter to PhilHealth Acting President and Officer-in-Charge Dr. Edwin Mercado on March 23 to seek clarification on the matter and is now waiting for its swift resolution.
AGRI Party-list, under Lee’s leadership, was the first to expose that PhilHealth has billions of available funds in September 2023. Lee’s persistent efforts resulted to the implementation of PhilHealth’s increased benefits and free medical services.
The said increases include the 30% increase in health benefits which was implemented on February 2024, another 50% increase which started in 2025, free dialysis, free eye check-up and prescription glasses for ages 0-15, free dental care, expanded coverage for breast cancer treatment, new benefit package for kidney transplant and heart ailments, and the said outpatient emergency care services, among others.
“Patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang mga repormang pangkalusugan hanggang sa makamit natin ang libreng gamot at pagpapagamot na karapatan at deserve ng bawat Pilipino. This recent development is a testament to what we can achieve when we prioritize the well-being of our people,” AGRI Party-list stressed.
