Camille Naredo

Department of Health Manila. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN news

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Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Department of Health on Tuesday clarified that the disqualification of traffic violators from Zero Balance Billing on medical services in DOH hospitals is not being implemented. The clarification comes after Senator Raffy Tulfo, in a hearing by the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, questioned an earlier pronouncement made by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa. &quot;Bakit siya gumagawa ng sariling batas eh dapat non-discriminatory yan. Na-ticketan na nga, lahat naman tayo nagkakamali, tapos hindi mo pa i-qualify sa zero balance billing,&quot; Tulfo asked. (Why does he make up his own rules? This is supposed to be non-discriminatory. An individual flagged for traffic violations will cost him and then you won’t qualify him for zero balance billing. All of us make mistakes.)Tulfo was referring to Herbosa’s statements during the United Nations Press Conference on Road Safety earlier this month.&quot;Today, I am announcing that if you are admitted because you are not wearing a helmet, seatbelt or were drinking (alcohol), you are now disqualified from the Zero Balance Billing,&quot; Herbosa said at the time. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/9/11/road-traffic-violators-will-be-disqualified-in-hospital-zero-balance-billing-doh-1908">READ: Road traffic violators will be disqualified in hospital zero-balance billing -- DOH</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/13/exclusion-of-traffic-violators-from-free-public-hospitalization-draws-mixed-reactions-1942">READ: Exclusion of traffic violators from free public hospitalization draws mixed reactions</a></div>Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that land transport accidents in 2013 have risen to over 13,000. &quot;If we don’t act, we will end up with a population that is either dying on the road or permanently disabled,&quot; Herbosa said. Health Spokesperson Albert Domingo said the Zero Balance Billing applies to all. &quot;Yan po ay hindi iniimplement pa po. Hindi namin sinasabi na mawawalang po ng serbisyo,&quot; Domingo said. Studies show that driving under the influence of alcohol remains to be among the reasons for road accidents. This is why Domingo floated the practice of western countries where insurance premiums are raised for those proven to have violated traffic rules. &quot;Siguro ang dapat na usapin is paano ang singilan ng premium? Pag kayo ay nag violate, hindi kayo naka-seatbelt, yung premium niyo sa insurance deterrent. Hindi po sa service side, kun&#x27;di insurance side,&quot; he said. Zero Balance Billing currently applies to 87 DOH Hospitals across the country. The program covers medical procedures, operations and medicines provided that patients avail of basic ward accommodation.

The Department of Health on Tuesday clarified that the disqualification of traffic violators from Zero Balance Billing on medical services in DOH hospitals is not being implemented.

The Department of Health on Tuesday clarified that the disqualification of traffic violators from Zero Balance Billing on medical services in DOH hospitals is not being implemented.

Disqualification of drunk drivers from Zero Balance Billing not being implemented -- DOH

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Disqualification of drunk drivers from Zero Balance Billing not being implemented -- DOH

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 23, 2025 03:34 PM PHT

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drunk driving

Department of Health

DOH

Zero Balance Billing

Senate Committee on Health

Philippine Senate

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