The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Healthcare Sector welcomed the continued expansion of PhilHealth’s YAKAP and GAMOT programs, saying the reforms are helping reduce healthcare costs for Filipino families.
During its 10th meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace on May 13, 2026, PSAC reviewed progress in healthcare reforms, including faster PhilHealth reimbursements, wider patient coverage, and improved access to medicines.
PSAC Lead Convenor Sabin Aboitiz said the reforms are important because Filipinos are now seeing practical benefits, such as lower out-of-pocket medical expenses and quicker hospital reimbursements.
Government data showed that 87 hospitals now offer zero balance billing, benefiting 1.6 million patients and covering around ₱95 billion in hospital costs. Meanwhile, the PhilHealth GAMOT Program has accredited more than 2,000 pharmacies and provided over ₱238 million worth of medicines to patients nationwide.
PhilHealth also reported major improvements in its digital systems, cutting claims processing time from about two months to as little as two weeks. Healthcare coverage has also expanded, reaching an additional 8.7 million Filipinos since 2023.
Paolo Borromeo said the reforms show that cooperation between government and the private sector can improve healthcare services and reduce financial pressure on patients.
The PSAC Healthcare Sector said it will continue supporting reforms focused on healthcare digitalization, faster FDA approvals, pharmacy modernization, and stronger public-private partnerships to improve healthcare access and quality across the country.
