Private sector advisers give Marcos proposals to cut healthcare costs

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has received a set of recommendations meant to lower healthcare costs for Filipino families, according to Mindanao Times. The proposals came from the Private Sector Advisory Council's healthcare group (PSAC-Healthcare) at its 11th sector meeting with the President at Malacañan Palace on October 21.

The council focused on expanding PhilHealth benefits, improving the supply of medicines and strengthening health facilities, particularly in underserved communities. A top priority is building up PhilHealth's YAKAP program, which covers primary care such as consultations, and its GAMOT program, which covers outpatient medicines. The aim is to reduce what patients pay out of pocket.

As of October 8, 2026, YAKAP had 22.42 million registered beneficiaries served through 4,677 accredited clinics nationwide. GAMOT had served 1.28 million beneficiaries through 3,483 participating pharmacies. The council recommended expanding both, especially for people with long-term illnesses who need regular checkups and maintenance medicines.

PSAC-Healthcare lead Paolo Borromeo, vice chairman of Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc., said the goal is to help families "get the care they need without worrying as much about the cost."

The council also backed PhilHealth's digital shift, including planned eGovPH app features that would let members check benefits, find providers and track medicine coverage. PhilHealth reported PHP331 billion in claims paid as of October 10, 2026, with PHP425 billion projected for the year. PSAC stressed that efficient claims processing helps hospitals keep services running.

Other proposals include a pilot program, targeted for November 2026 to January 2027, that would let licensed pharmacists use digital tools to supervise several community pharmacies staffed by trained assistants. The goal is to reach areas with few pharmacies. The council also called for faster Food and Drug Administration registration of medicines and vaccines. The FDA's drug regulation center cleared 6,971 applications from January to September 2026, up from 4,674 in the same period of 2025.

The group further recommended updating rules for hospitals, clinics and laboratories, simplifying licensing, improving referral systems and encouraging public-private partnerships with local governments. Its 2027 priorities include clinical trials capability, access to health technology and preparing facilities for climate-related disruptions.