The Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) condemned lawmakers for inserting ₱51.1 billion for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) into the 2026 national budget during the bicameral conference committee. MAIFIP is a fund where politicians decide who receives assistance. In this system, politicians instead of patients control health services.

According to HEAD, this does not guarantee access for the poorest and most vulnerable citizens. Instead, it perpetuates the patronage system where medical assistance is rationed based on lawmakers’ whims. It is also used as a tool for political favor. This situation forces patients to beg for services that they should rightfully receive.

This also fails to guarantee “zero balance billing” for patients in government hospitals. Public hospitals still lack enough facilities for proper medical care and disease diagnosis. Because of this, patients are forced to go to private hospitals and pay out-of-pocket expenses.

Transferring MAIFIP to PhilHealth places the fund in the hands of corrupt and inefficient institutions. The state should strengthen the public health service system by allocating at least 5% of its total revenue in the national budget for health.

HEAD calls on Congress to scrap MAIFIP and directly transfer the ₱51.1 billion fund to public hospitals and facilities. The fund should also cover the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of government hospitals to ensure free medicines, supplies, and diagnostic procedures for patients. Health service is a right, not a favor. Public funds should save lives, according to the group.