MANILA, Philippines– The House of Representatives bicameral conference committee announced Tuesday that more than one million indigent and financially incapacitated patients could lose medical aid in 2026 if legislators implemented proposed cuts to the Medical Assistance for Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.
MAIFIP, which pays accredited private and government hospitals for emergency treatment, was proposed at P49.2 billion in the House version of the 2026 national budget. The Senate reduced the allocation to P28 billion during the first day of bicameral deliberations.
House Appropriations Committee chair Mikaela Suansing said the program served 3.3 million beneficiaries in 2025 with a P41.2-billion allocation. She warned that the Senate’s lower allocation would reduce aid to about 1.1 million people.
After discussions, conferees agreed to raise the MAIFIP budget to P51.6 billion for 2026. Deputy Speaker Kristine Meehan said the funding ensures patients with insufficient or no PhilHealth coverage can access necessary medical care and supports the implementation of the Universal Health Care Program.