Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go assured that PhilHealth will be able to pay its debts to the Philippine Red Cross and to private and public hospitals.
This was after receiving a call from the PRC chairman, Sen. Richard Gordon.
“Tumawag po sa’kin kanina si Sen. Gordon umagang-umaga pa lang, sabi niya ‘Bong tulungan mo naman sabi ko papakiusapan natin si Atty. [Dante] Gierran,'” said Go.
Aside from paying the Red Cross, Gordon also demanded that PhilHealth’s debt to private hospitals be repaid so that they can add beds for patients.
“Ang sabi po ng mga private hospitals and even government hospitals kapag nabayaran po ang kanilang mga… handa silang magdagdag ng hospital beds,” he added.
He also said the government plans to find other ways to increase facilities and vacate hospital beds.
“Maghahanap po ang ating gobyerno ng mga magagandang hotel para naman po kumportable yung mga pasyente yung mga health workers with mild cases para naman po mabigay yung mga kama doon sa mga severe cases po,” said Go.
PhilHealth should pay debts to Red Cross, hospitals – Gordon
Go also said that the economic cluster of the cabinet has already talked to use the quick response fund of the departments.
“Napag-usapan nina Sec. Avisado, Sec. Dominguez, Sec. Medialdea gamitin niyo po ang mga quick response fund sa inyong mga departamento at kami na po ang tutulong later on kung kakailanganin niyo po gamitin niyo po kung ano po yunh available funds ninyo dahil kailangan po ng ating mga kababayan ng tulong hindi na po makakapag-antay yung mga pasyente kung maaari po magdagdag pa tayo,” he said.
Last month, the Department of Health also asked PhilHealth to cover the COVID-19 “tent charge” billed to patients waiting to be admitted to the hospital, most of which have now been filled due to the new surge.
Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite had earlier revealed in the House hearing that the patient was charged up to P1,000 per hour for a temporary tent while waiting to be admitted to the room, but PhilHealth did not respond.