The Department of Health (DOH) is considering to make medical services free in government-run hospitals nationwide, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Tuesday.

In an ambush interview with reporters, Herbosa said individuals from low-income households, including beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), are entitled to a no-balance billing policy in all DOH-run hospitals.

“Pinag-aaralan namin ngayon na lahat ng ward at semi-private, malibre na rin ang karamihan, nobenta porsiyento ng serbisyo. That means sagot na ng sin tax (We are studying now to make ward and semi-private, 90 percent of the medical services, free. That means sin tax will fund it),” he said.

Herbosa said he is in discussions with the directors of the public hospitals, hoping to make definite announcement by next week.

“Wala namang kontra. At kung ano man ang kulang, I am hoping, punuin ng legislature kasi sila ang nagbibigay ng pondo sa Department of Health (There was no opposition. And whatever is lacking, I am hoping the legislature will cover it since they provide funds to the Department of Health),” he said.

The move is part of the DOH’s broader efforts to expand access to quality healthcare and to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for millions of Filipinos seeking treatment in public hospitals.

It also fulfills the mandate of the Universal Health Care law to strengthen the country’s healthcare system together with traditional funds, the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients, and benefit packages from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. (PNA)