Manila: Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday expressed support for the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in their efforts to streamline healthcare services and strengthen the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing policy. In her message to the 2025 Health Forum held at Marco Polo Ortigas, Hontiveros lauded the agencies for advancing patient rights and improving coordination to ensure efficient and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos.
According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros thanked ARTA, DOH, and PhilHealth for leading discussions on the effective and pro-people implementation of the Zero Balance Billing policy and other components of a healthcare system intended for all. Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and co-authored the Universal Health Care Act, emphasized the need for government agencies to collaborate in eliminating out-of-pocket costs for patients while enhancing service delivery.
She highlighted the importance of identifying and addressing bureaucratic roadblocks and bottlenecks. Hontiveros stressed the need to remove repetitive or unnecessary requirements and shorten long waiting lines. The 2025 Health Forum, themed ‘Zero Balance Full Care: Advancing Patient Rights through Streamlined Health Services,’ brought together officials from ARTA, DOH, and PhilHealth to promote compliance with the Universal Health Care Act and build a transparent, patient-centered healthcare system.
