Manila: The implementation of the zero balance billing (ZBB) program in government hospitals has eliminated the need for patients to seek guarantee letters (GLs) from politicians, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced Wednesday. Speaking at a Palace press briefing, Herbosa explained that the ZBB initiative was crafted to dismantle political gatekeeping and ensure equitable access to medical care.

According to Philippines News Agency, Herbosa emphasized that the removal of GLs is a direct result of the ZBB, enabling patients to access Department of Health (DOH) hospitals without financial burdens or political endorsements. Patients can now directly approach DOH hospitals for treatment, ensuring a smoother and more independent healthcare experience.

Herbosa shared anecdotes from his visits to DOH hospitals, noting that patients no longer require political intervention to receive medical care. "They lined up at the outpatient department, paid nothing, were operated on, and went home," he stated, highlighting the program's efficacy in eliminating financial and bureaucratic barriers.

The Health Secretary underscored the importance of informing the public about the ZBB's benefits, which cover basic accommodations in DOH hospitals. As long as this information is disseminated, there is no longer a need for patients to approach elected officials for medical assistance.

Herbosa credited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for prioritizing healthcare funding, pointing out that the DOH received PHP448 billion under the 2026 national budget-the third-highest allocation among government agencies. Health economists have long projected that PHP450 billion annually would be necessary to sustain universal health coverage, a target now reached with the 2026 budget.

The budget also includes additional funding for specialty hospitals like the Philippine Heart Center and National Kidney and Transplant Institute, with each receiving an extra PHP1 billion to support ZBB, especially for complex procedures. An additional PHP1 billion fund will expand ZBB coverage to local government unit-run hospitals following its rollout in 83 DOH hospitals nationwide starting July 2026.

Nearly 1.1 million patients have benefited from the ZBB program, with the government covering up to PHP2.7 million in hospital costs for some patients. Herbosa also referenced Section 19 of the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which bans political involvement in distributing medical assistance, including ZBB.

Watchdog groups had previously criticized the use of GLs in medical assistance, arguing that they reinforced patronage politics. Herbosa asserted that the ZBB program directly addresses these concerns by removing the necessity for political endorsements altogether.