lic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. HENRY R. VILLARICA
4™ DISTRICT, BULACAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Hospice and Palliative Care is a multdisciplinary care that improves the quality of life of
patients (adults and children) and their families who we facing problems associated with life-
patents (adults 2c an approach tat provides terminally il patents elit fom sufeing and
‘upholds the quality of life.

Palliative care, when first introduced in the country mainly focused on cancer patients.
‘Through the years, other components of palliative care were gradually practiced, leading to its
recognition as a public health service. National ‘and intemational government health care policy
documents identified palliative care as an integral component of care and support for all patients
who have the following conditions: cancer, ESRD (end-stage renal disease), advanced heart/
liver! respiratory diseases, dementia, and AIDS.

‘Acknowledging the call of the ‘World Health Assembly which recognized palliative care
as a core component of integrated, people-centered health services, not an optional extra, this bill
‘aims to integrate hospice and palliative care into the structure and financing of Philippine Health
Care system by:

. Strengthening and expanding human resources, including training of existing
reat professions, embedding, pliatve care into the core curcula of ll new health
professionals, as well as educating volunteers ‘and the public.

= Encouraging the development of home-based hospice and palliative care programs
at the grassroots level, which would increase the poor's access to quality health services.

. Directing PhilHealth to increase its present benefit package to include inpatient
palliative services, outpatient hospice care and home-based palliative care.

This bill was filed during the 16 Congress and was approved on 3" Reading by the
House of Representatives Plenary. This was ‘also te-filed during the 17 Congress. In both
vaevasions, however, no further action was taken on it. This bill is re-filed for the consideration
of the 18 Congress.

Support forthe enactment of this measure is eamestly requested.

REP. HENRY R. V! ICA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Fines BINGO

Tntroduced by HON. HENRY R. VILLARICA
4™ DISTRICT, BULACAN,

AN ACT INTEGRATING HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE INTO THE PHILIPPINE
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Hospice and Palliative Care Act.”

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy. ~The State guarantees the right of the people to
quality health care, and ensure thatthe health status ofthe peopl is protected overs Smits
life cycle. Tusjaant to the Constitution, the State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor i make essential
troods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost, including
patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

SEC. 3. Definition of Term. — As used in this Act:

Hospice and Palliative care refers to an approach that improves the quality of life of
ospice Mfethreatening, complex and chronic illnesses or those experiencing
Frogressively debilitating diseases beyond any benefit from curative 0 definitive treatment,
Fepardless of life expectancy. The approach ALSO covers the prevention and relief of
Suffering by means of early identification, assessment, and management of pain and
symptoms.

it should not be limited to the terminally ill, or those who have been deemed as
having six (6) months to live.

SEC. 4, Accreditation. — Hospitals, private hospice institutions, medical practitonfs

health cn, 408 socal workers for hospice and palliative cre shal be accredited by hs

‘St Health (DOH). The DOH, in partnership with the National Hospice and

Palliative Care Council of the Philippines, Inc. (NHPCCP) shall formulate the rules and
guidelines for accreditation to ensure a standard quality of palliative care services.

SEC. 5. Quality Assurance. ~ Key elements necessary to ensure quality hospice and
palliative care services in accredited hospitals and hospices include the following:

(a) Adequate number of multi-specialty personnel;

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(b.) Assured financing for health and custodial services;

(c.) Clear and practical standards for facilities and services;

(4.) Appropriately designed and equipped facilities; and

(e.) Regular and systematic supervision and reporting to the DOH.

SEC. 6. Mandatory Hospice and Palliative Care Services. — All government and

private hospitals shall provide hospice and palliative care services to patients with life-
threatening illnesses. ‘The purpose is to support the patients’ emotional, social and spiritual
heeds as well as minimize the medical symptoms in seriously ill ‘or terminally ill patients.

Hospitals are required to link with a referal and aftercare network that is orepni2e8
and made functional by all provincial, city and municipal goveraments under the guidance
and monitoring of the DOH.

Rural health units, health centers and health offices are required to develop home:
based or near home palliative care program in coordination with government-owned and
privately-owned hospices in the local government units (LGUs).

SEC. 7, Leave Benefits. Immediate family members or relatives who are employed,
whether in the public or private sectors, and are assigned by the family to provide hospice
tnd palliative care to a critially-ill relative shall be allowed to use ai! existing leave benefits
granted by their employers subject to the guidelines on the use of said leave benefits.

‘The DOH, in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Social

Security ‘System (SSS), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and. the

yet Labor ana Employment (DOLE), shall be tasked to formulate the necessary
guidelines in the availment of leave benefits.

SEC. & Education and Training of Health Care Professionals and Volunteers, The
DOH, in partnership with the NHPCCP and other accredited members, shall develop the
education and training modules for health care professionals, workers and volunteers.

‘The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall integrate conse: Ot the
principles and practice of hospice and palliative care into the curriculum of Medicine, and
Nursing, as well as in all paramedical and allied health courses. ;

SEC. 9. Continuing Research. - The DOH, in coordination with the Philippine

Council for Health Research and Development of the Department (PCHRD), of. the

 Hcience and Technology (DOST), shall ensure a continuing research and
epvation of data on palliative and hospice care and availability of funds for this purpose.

SEC.10. Program Implementor. — The DOH-Office for Technical Services, in
coordination with other offices of the Department, is hereby mandated to perform the
following functions:

(@.) Promote hospice and palliative care in the Philippines through advocacy and
vcieavaadciings

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(b,) Formulate policies and develop standards on quality hospice and palliative care;

(¢.) Monitor the enforcement of standards and implementation ofthe program on
hospice and palliative care;

(d.) Mobilize and generate resources for sustainability of operation;
(¢.) Network with international hospice associations;
(£) Coordinate research undertakings with other institutions and agencies;

(g.) Serve as repository of database for policy-making and maintenance of hospice
‘and palliative care registry;

(h) Organize and develop continuing training programs for physicians, nurse
‘physical therapists, and other professional health workers and volunteer workers in
the field of hospice and palliative care;

6) Serve asthe coordinating center ofa national hospice and palliative cae network
located in the different regions of the country; and

(j.) Establish a Code of Ethics and Standards in the practice of hospice and palliative
health care.

SEC. 11. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) Benefit Package. ©
puruas yo this Act the PhilHealth shall increase its present benefit package to include
inpatient palliative services, outpatient hospice care, and home-based palliative care.

SEC. 12, Funding Support. All non-profit, DOH accredited hospice and palliative
care institutions which are serving indigent patients shall qualify as institutional beneficiaries
carver the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Institutional Financial Assistance
Program: Provided, “That the hospice and palliative care institutions shall ensure funding for
Ee evtodial services and shall comply with the documentary and other requtemens
he*the Program, Provided, further, that, clear and practical standards, for facilities and
services are in place.

SEC.13. Reporting. - One (1) year after the implementation of this Act and every year’
thereafter, the DOH shall submit a written assessment to Congress on the implementation of
the hospice and palliative care program.

SEC. [13] 14. Tax Exemptions. — All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and
contributions made to the DOH to be used actually, directly, and exclusively for hospice and
ov car program shal be excmpt from donor’ tx andthe same shall be Some
Feduction from the gross income of the donor for purposes ‘of computing the taxable income
tthe donot, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of
1997 as amended.


SEC.{14] 15. Appropriations. — The initial amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the DOH.
Thereafter, such sums as maybe necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall
be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC.{15] 16. Rules and Regulations, — Within sixty (60) days from the approval of
this Act, the Secretary of Health, after consultation with the NHPCCP shall promulgate the
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC.[16] 17. Separability Clause. — In case any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue in full force and effect.

SEC [17] 18. Repealing Clause, - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations or
any part thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed, modified or amended

accordingly.

SEC.[18] 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,