'Unbundling hospital charges a step backward'

A health reform advocate criticized the proposal of the Department of Health (DoH) to unbundle hospital charges, calling it “a step backward.” The proposal comes after the DOH reacted to the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) floating the idea of implementing a five percent increase in hospital fees as costs of fuel and basic commodities increase. DoH Spokesman Albert Domingo called for a breakdown of hospital charges to provide greater transparency. He said unbundling costs like room rates, electricity, fuel, and staff salaries would allow the public to understand how healthcare prices are affected by the rising oil prices. “It’s time to ‘unbundle’ or ‘break down’ the charges of hospitals and health facilities. Don’t just say ‘room rate’—how much is charged for electricity? For gasoline/diesel? For nurses’ salaries?” Domingo said. Dr. Tony Leachon told The Manila Times on Sunday the DoH’s proposal would erode the integration, equity, and universality that the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law and the Sin Tax Law were meant to achieve. “The Sin Tax Law and the Universal Health Care Law were never meant to stand alone. They were conceived as twin pillars of reform—one raising resources from harmful consumption, the other ensuring those resources translate into accessible, equitable health services. To unbundle them is not innovation; it is a betrayal of their essence,” he said. Aside from the fragmentation, Leachon argued that bundling hospital charges ensures solidarity, where wealthier individuals contribute more while the poorer population benefits. He said unbundling risks creates inequality by removing this balance. Healthcare should not be treated as a commodity to be broken into pieces, but as a fundamental right that must be guaranteed for all Filipinos, he said. “Unbundling is not progress—it is a step backward,” Leachon said. He called on policymakers to resist the proposal and instead focus on strengthening the integration of the Sin Tax and UHC laws.

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