’ bos Toe
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._ 9868
Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing
EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is in the twilight of one 's years that one worries if he or she can exit this life
with a semblance of dignity. In a society where the marginalized exist in such large
numbers, its senior citizens often have to suffer the tragic journey of enduring
inadequate medical treatment in their latter years.

RA No. 7432, as amended, entitled "An Act to Maximize the Contribution of
Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for
other Purposes,” provides that all senior citizens shall be covered by Section 5 of
said law and even RA 7875, as amended, otherwise known as the “National Health
Insurance Act of 1995," provides that members of PhilHealth are entitled to
outpatient care services, specifically, Section 10 of RA 7875, as amended.

However, the above stated statutes are pockmarked with loopholes, thus the
need to close such, by adding more specific services. This proposed measure shall
include other ambulatory forms of assistance, enumerated types of dental
accommodations and even optometric services as part of the Outpatient Benefit
Package for senior citizens. This bill, aside from providing full services, makes it
crystal clear to the hospitals and physicians that they are obliged to provide such
services, as some of them have been adopting a Fabian policy or turning a blind eye
to the needs of elderly patients.

Shortage of available funds could put senior citizens in a dire situation of
having to make difficult choices in order to prolong their lives. We don't want Lolo or
Lola to choose between buying food or maintenance medicine; acquiring diapers or
antibiotics; and having a place to stay or undergo dialysis. In the end, they are
usually reduced to penury. Hence, this bill

For the sake of our senior citizens who wish to have minimum Stress in the
autumn of their lives, the approval of this bill is strongly recommended.

ITA B. SUANSIAIG


Nauewnn

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House Bilj No. 5868
Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PHILHEALTH OUTPATIENT CARE BENEFIT PACKAGE
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services
available to all the people at affordable cost and to provide free medical care to
indigents. Towards this end, the State shall provide a comprehensive dental care
and optometric services for senior citizens through the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation.

SECTION 2. Outpatient Benefit Package for Senior Citizens. The
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shail include in its outpatient
care benefit package for senior citizens the following services:

a. Health Care Services
i, Services of health care professionals;
ji, Diagnostic, laboratory, and other medical examination services:
iii, Personal preventive services;
iv. Prescription drugs and biologicals subject to the |imitations
described in Section 37 of Republic Act No. 7875; and
v. Other ambulatory services
b. Dental Care Services such as, but not limited to:
i, Routine care and evaluation (ie. oral prophylaxis, gum
treatment, temporary and permanent filling, tooth extraction);
fi. Diagnostic, laboratory and other dental services (i.e. dental x-


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SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of
Health, together with the PhilHealth, shail promulgate the necessary implementing
tules and regulations within sixty (60) days upon the approval of this Act.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act or
application thereof shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the validity of the
other parts or provisions shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive issuances,
tules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,