The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)  showcased research findings aimed at improving healthcare access, strengthening awareness of PhilHealth benefits, and guiding future healthcare financing reforms during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference on 4 June 2026.

The event featured research under the PhilHealth STUDIES Program, or Supporting the Thrust for Universal Health Care through Data, Information, and Knowledge-Exchange Systems. The program is a joint initiative of DOST-PCHRD and PhilHealth that supports research aligned with the PhilHealth Research Agenda and the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.

“Universal Health Care (UHC) requires more than funding and policies, it demands evidence-based decisions grounded on the real experiences of Filipinos,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr.. “Through research partnerships like PhilHealth STUDIES, we aim to generate insights that can help improve healthcare delivery, strengthen public trust, and support more responsive health systems,” he added.

The press conference underscored the role of research in helping government make more informed decisions, particularly in improving public awareness of PhilHealth benefits and strengthening financial protection under the UHC Law.

One featured study, conducted by the De La Salle University Manila – Center for Business Research and Development, examined PhilHealth’s communication and marketing strategies.

The study found strong awareness of key benefits such as inpatient coverage and No-Balance-Billing (NBB), but also identified gaps among rural communities and older populations. It highlights the need to expand community-based and localized health information campaigns to better reach these groups.

Another study, conducted by the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes (AIHO), examined how the PhilHealth NBB Policy is implemented across healthcare facilities nationwide.

The study found that patients continue to face out-of-pocket expenses, along with operational challenges affecting policy implementation.  These findings point to opportunities to strengthen financial protection and improve how the policy is carried out.

“We want research to move beyond reports and academic discussions,” Sec. Solidum added. “Our goal is for these findings to help shape better policies, better systems, and ultimately better healthcare experiences for every Filipino.”

The Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference forms part of the Council’s continuing efforts to make publicly funded health research more accessible, relevant, and responsive to national health priorities, and to ensure that research findings translate to meaningful improvements in health services for Filipinos.