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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

5283

House Bill No._

introduced by Honorable Carmelo F. Lazatin
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 11, Article XIlI of the 1987 Constitution underscores the government's duty to provide
affordable quality health care for all.

The provision declares that "the State shall 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.”

For this purpose, Republic Act 7875, as amended, or better known as the National Health
Insurance Act of 1995, established the National Health Insurance Program to be administered by the
Philippine Health Insurance Act (Philhealth) to operationalize the aforementioned constitutional

mandate by providing health insurance coverage forall citizens of the Philippines

However, access to health care continues to be a pressing concem especially to all indigent
Filipinos who cannot afford the spiraling cost of health services.

This bill seeks to put all indigent Filipinos under the coverage of Philhealth to make accessible
to them affordable and quality health care that they deserve.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

heead ge
CARMELO F. TIN

First District, Par ge


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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BilNo,_5283

Introduced by Honorable Carmelo F. Lazatin

AN ACT GRANTING PHILHEALTH COVERAGE TO ALL INDIGENT FILIPINOS, AMENDING
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT
OF 1995, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

BE it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
Sec. 1. Title: This act shall be known as ‘Indigents Philhealth Coverage Act of 2011."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy: It is the policy of the State to promote the right and health of the
people instill health consciousness among them., as indicated in Section 15, Article 2 of the 1987
Constitution.

Furthermore, Section 13, Article 11 of the Charter declares that the “State shall 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’.

Sec. 3 - Section 29 of Republic Act 7875 is amended to read as follows:

Payment for Indigent Contributions. - THE ANNUAL REQUIRED PREMIUM (Contributions) for
indigent members IDENTIFIED AS SUCH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT AND THE CORPORATION shall be FULLY PAID (subsidized partially by the local
government unit where the member resides. The Corporation shall provide counterpart financing equal
to the LGU's subsidy for indigents: Provided, That in the case of fourth, fifth and sixth class LGU's, the
National Government shall provide up to ninety percent (90%) of the subsidy for indigents for a period
not exceeding five (5) years. The share of the LGU's shall be progressively increased until such time
that its share becomes equal to that of the National Government) BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
FROM THE AMOUNT WHICH SHALL BE ALLOCATED FOR THIS PURPOSE IN THE ANNUAL
GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT IN ADDITION TO OTHER SOURCES AS PROVIDED IN THIS
ACT.

Sec. 4 — Section 46 of Republic Act 7875 is amended to read as follows:


SEC. 46. Subsequent Appropriations, —
00K 10 00

FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSUING ALL INDIGENTS, FIVE PERCENT OF ANNUAL
EARNINGS OF THE PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION AND PHILIPPINE
CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE IS APPROPRIATED FOR THIS PURPOSE,

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within six (6) months from the effectivity of
this Act, the Secretary of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and other agencies
concerned shall promulgate rules and guidelines as may be necessary for the proper implementation of
this Act.

Sec. 6. Separability Clause. -- If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders or issuances, or any parts thereof
which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,