Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

Motorists and transport groups have expressed mixed reactions to a proposal by the Department of Health (DOH) that could disqualify traffic violators from availing of the government’s zero-balance billing program in public hospitals. Under the zero-balance billing program, patients admitted to basic accommodation wards in public hospitals are not required to pay any hospital fees. “Lahat po ng Pilipino makaka-avail basta po kayo ay nasa basic accommodation. Hindi po kailangan ng interview, hindi kailangan ng dokumento,” Domingo emphasized. “Basta kayo ay na-admit sa basic accommodation, bayad na ang bill ninyo.” According to DOH data, since July 2025, more than ₱26.4 billion has been spent by the government to cover hospital bills for over 256,000 patients under the program. But DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa recently announced that the department is studying a new policy: disqualifying traffic violators — especially those found at fault in road accidents — from receiving zero-balance billing benefits. If implemented, the policy would mean that a driver involved in a collision due to a traffic violation (e.g., drunk driving or not wearing a helmet) would be ineligible for free treatment at public hospitals. However, the victims in such accidents would still be entitled to full benefits. “Kung sa isang banggaan halimbawa… kung hindi naman nakahelmet, at kung nakainom… meron din po siyang tinatawag na ‘contributory negligence’,” Asec Domingo explained. “Yun ang polisiya, pero gusto nya sigurado tayong wala tayong nilalabag na batas.”The Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) expressed understanding on the DOH’s intent but warned that such a policy could spark debate. “Ang prinsipyo kasi niya, kaya niya nilabas ito ay sabi niya unfair naman ‘yung mga nagbabayad ng buwis, kasi drunk driving is a crime,” said AAP President Joe Ferreria in a phone interview. “May punto siya roon, pero malaking pagdedebate ‘yan, kapag sinabi mo kasing universal health, it’s available to everybody.”Ferreria believes that while the proposal might reduce violations, it’s not the most effective solution. “Punishing them by removing zero billing benefits may, in a way, lessen it, but it will not be the more effective solution,” he said. “The more effective solution would be educating drivers and providing stiffer penalties” he added. Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) rider Erwin Alera, who has been riding in Metro Manila for two decades, strongly opposed the plan, citing possible abuse and lack of fairness. “Case to case basis ‘yan, eh kung sabihin na wala siyang pruweba? Eh kung makabangga ka ng may kaya, tapos kami mahirap lang, sabihin nila kami ang may kasalanan?” he asked. “Actually kung ang isang rider eh nahuling nagmamaneho ng lasing, ‘yun talaga ipairal na batas na.” On the other hand, jeepney driver Dionaldin Oro believes the proposal is reasonable and could deter reckless driving. “Tama ‘yon kasi kasalanan ng driver ‘yon eh. Nagmaneho siya ng nakainom.” As of now, the DOH clarified that the proposal is still under review and has not yet been finalized. No timeline has been provided for its possible implementation.

The Automobile Association of the Philippines warned that the policy could spark debate.

The Automobile Association of the Philippines warned that the policy could spark debate.

Exclusion of traffic violators from free public hospitalization draws mixed reactions

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Exclusion of traffic violators from free public hospitalization draws mixed reactions

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 13, 2025 07:42 PM PHT

Read More:

DOH

Zero balance billing

traffic violators

disqualification

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