President Bongbong Marcos announced that maternity benefits under Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will be expanded starting April 30, raising financial coverage for childbirth and widening access to care before and after delivery as the government moves to address the cost of maternal healthcare.
The announcement was made Wednesday through a video message, where Marcos detailed expenses tied to pregnancy, including checkups, laboratory tests, hospital fees, and medicines. He said these costs often force families to delay care or reduce spending on medical needs, increasing risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
Coverage for normal delivery in hospitals will increase to P29,000 from P9,750. For cesarean sections, coverage will rise to between P58,000 and P62,000 from P37,000. Marcos said the adjustment is meant to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and allow more women to access proper medical services during delivery.
“Mga kababayan, alam natin kung gaano kamahal ang panganganak. May check-up, laboratory tests, ospital, at gamot. Kapag kinulang ang pera, napipilitan tayo maghintay o magtipid. Dito nagsisimula ang panganib,” he said.
The program also expands prenatal care. Coverage will now include eight checkups from the previous four, along with vaccinations and laboratory tests. After delivery, PhilHealth will cover three follow-up visits to monitor recovery.
“Pagkatapos manganak, may tatlong follow-up visit na sakop na rin,” the President said.
Marcos said some mothers give birth without medical assistance because they cannot afford the cost of proper care, a situation the government aims to address through the expanded benefits.
“Maraming ina ang nanganganak na walang doktor hindi dahil ayaw nila ng tamang pang-alaga, kundi hindi nila kaya ang gastos,” he said.
He said the goal is to ensure mothers can give birth safely without worrying about how to pay for hospital care, with the expanded benefits set to take effect on April 30.
