Republic of the Philipp’ hae 9
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES © RECEIVED 2\
Quezon City 3 pareve o7 ane
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS: *
First Regular Session oe

House Bitt No, 1501

Introduced by Honorable Florida P. Robes

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:

“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people
and instill health consciousness among them.”

The world’s population in the 21" century is ageing: virtually every country in the world
is going through exponential growth in the number of older people in their population.

The World Health Organization has declared that globally, the population aged 65 and over
is growing faster than all other age groups. According to data from World Population Prospects
the 2019 Revision, by 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 (16%), up from one
in 11 in 2019 (9%). By 2050, one in four persons living in Europe and Northern America could
be aged 65 or over. In 2018, for the first time in history, persons aged 65 or above outnumbered
children under five years of age globally. The number of persons aged 80 years or over is projected
to triple, from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050.

Aside from the ageing population, each country also has to address persons with
disabilities, who like the older people in society, are also in need of immediate, effective and proper
attention especially when it comes to healthcare.

This trend in population has far-reaching and long-term impact primarily in healthcare and
also in labor, social justice, transportation, services, housing and economy among others. The
Philippines has to make these sectors productive members of society. As such, despite their
limitations, their specific and unique needs have to be woven into policies and programmes at all
levels in government to give them the quality of life they deserve.



One of the areas that is of utmost importance to these specific sectors in population is
physical and rehabilitation medicine. This branch of medicine focuses on improving the lives of
people living with disability or health condition, whether acute, chronic or progressively
debilitation, to enable to participate in education, the work force, the civic life and generally
improve the quality of their lives.

Article 26, Habilitation and Rehabilitation, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) calls for: “... appropriate measures, including through peer
support, to enable persons with disabilities to attain and maintain their maximum independence,
full physical, mental, social and vocational ability, and full inclusion and participation in all aspects
of life”

In February 2017, the WHO hosted “Rehabilitation 2030: A Call to Action”, which urged
the more than 200 rehabilitation experts from 46 countries to help address the increasing unmet
need for rehabilitation by spearheading coordinated actions and commitment to raise the profile of
rehabilitation as a health strategy relevant to all people from all ages.

‘The key actions identified were improving rehabilitation management and investment,
building a high quality rehabilitation workforce and services, and enhancing data collection on
rehabilitation

In the Philippines, while physical and rehabilitation medicine has greatly improved with
the increase in the number of trainees, graduates, and certified diplomats and fellows in the field
‘The number of rehabilitation centers had also grown all over the country. However, efforts and
policies are still not sufficient to make Filipinos suffering from neuromusculoskeletal,
cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other system disorders are properly treated and/or managed

It is the objective of this proposed Rehabilitation Medicine Standard Act to set standards
for the training and practice of Rehabilitation Medicine. This bill further sets technical and
operational standard for rehabilitation centers which will function at the highest level of standard
and be headed and supervised by duly trained and certified medical specialists in rehabilitation
medicine, thereby protecting the interest of the Filipino patients who seek treatment from these
centers.

This proposed law will likewise help the Department of Health standardize Physical and
Rehabilitation Medicine Centers, help produce more Physical and Rehabilitation Specialists and
paramedical professionals, improve delivery of safe and accessible physical and rehabilitation
medicine services, increase public awareness through nationwide lay fora and education campaign
on how Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine can minimize disability and optimize function

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is urged

rroripy P. ROBES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1501

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Florida P. Robes

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION
MEDICINE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Medical Rehabilitation Standards Act
of 2019"

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right
to health of the people through optimizing function by making the delivery of expert rehabilitative
care to Filipinos suffering from neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and other
system disorders which produce temporary or permanent disability accessible, effective and
affordable. Toward this end, standards for the effective practice of Rehabilitation Medicine and
for the establishment, management and operations of rehabilitation facilities are hereby
established.

SECTION 3. - Definitions. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine - the branch of medicine which deals with
the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal,
cardiovascular, pulmonary and other system disorders which produce temporary or
permanent disability in patients as well as the performance of different diagnostic
and therapeutic procedures, including, but not limited to medical prescription,
procedures, injections, drug administration, prognostication, manual therapy,
assessment and review of interventions, neuropsychology, nutrition, provision of



equipment and assistive devices, physical modalities, electromyography,
musculoskeletal sonology, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, prosthetics and
orthotics. It also involves specialized medical care and training of patients with
loss of function so that he or she may obtain his or her maximum potential,
physically, psychologically, socially and vocationally, providing special attention
and care to prevent complications or deterioration, and to assist in physiologic
adaptation of disability, impairment or handicap. In addition, the practice of
Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine uses agents such as heat, light, water,
electricity, therapeutic exercise and mechanical agents in its treatment
armamentarium.

b. Medical Rehabilitation - the process of helping a person achieve his fullest
physical, psychological, social, vocational, educational and functional potential
consistent with his or her physiologic or anatomic impairments, environmental
limitations and life plans.

c. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist - a physician who is licensed
and duly registered with the Professional Regulation Commission and who
completed three (3) years of residency training in Physical & Rehabilitati
Medicine in a training institution accredited by the Philippine Academy of
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialty Board

d. Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) - a non-stock, non-
profit corporation, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission and
the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) composed of Board Certified
Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists.

¢. Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine Specialty Board (PARM
SB) — is the recognized Specialty Board by the Philippine Academy of
Rehabilitation Medicine tasked with examining and certifying competent specialty
practitioners.

f. Physiatrist (synonym for Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist) - They
shall be qualified by the PARM SB as:

1) Board Eligible Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist -
refers to one who completed residency training in a residency
training program accredited by the PARM Specialty Board but who
has not successfully completed the PARM SB examination.

2) Board Certified (Diplomate) - refers to those have passed Part I
(written) and Part II (oral) of the Diplomate Board Examination
given by the PARM SB examination


g. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Center/Facility/Unit - any facility that
renders services for the rehabilitation of physical disabilities and which may be
hospital-based or free-standing,

h. Physical & Rehal ion Medicine Team - a group of medical and allied
health professionals concerned with the medical rehabilitation of patients with
physical disabilities. The team is composed of, but not limited to, the following:

1. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists
2. Physical Therapists

3. Occupational Therapists

4. Prosthetists and Orthotists

5. Rehabilitation Nurses

Speech Pathologists

Social Workers

Vocational Counselors

we ere

. Recreational Therapists

10. Electromyographer

Musculoskeletal Sonographer

12. Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach
13. SPED Teachers

14, Neuropsychologist

1

Physical Therapy Aide
SECTION 4. Scope of Practice. - The practice of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine includes

a. Professional services related to the care of an individual patient, rendered in the role
of a physician primarily responsible for individual patient care or as a consultant to another
physician, and consists of

1. History taking, examination of patients, performance of specific
diagnostic procedures like Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Velocity
studies, Neuromusculoskeletal Ultrasound, and Bone Densitometry for the purpose
of establishing diagnosis and evaluation of disability, impairment, functional
capacity and potential for rehabilitation;

2. Prescription and rendering of appropriate medical treatment which
may include any or all, aspects or physical medicine as well as rehabilitative


measures, including but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy,
speech therapy, orthotic and prosthetic services, joint and trigger point injections,
ultrasound guided interventional procedures.

3. Follow-up examination of patients in offices, hospitals, rehabilitation
facilities, extended care facilities or home for purposes of re-evaluation and
treatment modifications,

4. Appropriate consultation with other medical specialists,

5. Psychological counseling and conference with non-physician health care
professionals or family members concerning conduct of patient's care or patient's
progress: and

6. Examination of patient's records, preparation of reports, designing,
planning, and implementation of health programs for the maintenance of health and
prevention of disability; and correspondence as well as appearance in court or
providing testimony pertaining to a patient

Professional services related to the administration of rehabilitation facilities or units

consist of:

1. Professional general supervision of rehabilitation services in a hospital-
based rehabilitation center or unit or any other freestanding units that render limited
rehabilitation services, convalescent home and private homes, for quality assurance
and appropriate utilization of services;

2. Planning, establishment and management of facilities, equipment and
personnel for the performance of functions and activities of a rehabilitation
department or unit, or any other free standing unit that render limited rehabilitation
services,

Convalescent home and private homes, for quality assurance and
appropriate utilization of services,

3. Maintenance of complete and accurate records and statistics:

4. Education of physicians and allied health care professionals in
Rehabilitation Medicine, both local and foreign, for programs related to Physical &
Rehabilitation Medicine,

5. Education of the public on health care issues pertaining to Rehabilitation
Medicine through research and medical education;


6. Promoting professional development of Rehabilitation Medicine through
research and medical education;

7. Designing, planning and implementing health programs for maintenance
of health and prevention of disability;

8. Establishing linkages with government and non-government agencies,
both local and foreign, for programs related to Rehabilitation Medicine;

9. Promotion of the team approach among medical and allied medical health
care professionals in the holistic care of patients, and

10. Setting standards for compensation of Physical & Rehabilitation
Medicine services.

c. Guidelines for Practice in a Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Facility:

1. Every patient shall be examined and diagnosed by a Physical
Rehabilitation Medicine specialist. The Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
specialist recommends an individual treatment plan in collaboration with the
Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Team. The treatment plan and rehabilitation
program shall be regularly reviewed on a team basis.

2. Medications and various other forms of treatment shall be
prescribed by a physical & rehabilitation medicine specialist.

3. The physical & rehabilitation medicine specialist has the primary
responsibility of regularly following-up on patients in his charge and modifying or
terminating treatment.

4. A Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist shall head the facility or
unit and collaborate with the physical & rehabilitation team in the delivery of
rehabilitation medicine services.

5. The Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist shall conduct himself
in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics of the Accredited Professional
Organization (APO)

SECTION 5. Qualifications to Practice. - A physician who is a Board Certified/Board Eligible
Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist, of good moral character and is a member of the
Accredited Professional Organization is qualified to practice Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine.

SECTION 6. Accreditation and Certification. - A Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
Specialist eligible for accreditation is a graduate of a residency training institution accredited by
the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine Specialty Board and recognized by the
Accredited Professional Organization



SECTION 7. Regulatory Authority - Technical Standards and Requirements for the
Registration, Operation and Maintenance of Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities shall be
implemented and regulated by the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services
Regulatory Bureau.

SECTION 8. Management and Operation of a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility. - A Physical
& Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
specialist who is either a PARM Specialty Board Certified or Eligible Physical Rehabilitation
Medicine specialist in the said facility. An adequate and effective system of documentation,
recording and recordkeeping must be maintained for all consultations and services in the facility.
The rates for consultation and services shall be in accordance with the standards of the Accredited
Professional Organization and PhilHealth

SECTION 9. Classification of Facilities - Rehabilitation Medicine facilities shall be classified
according to the institutional character, and extent of services offered. The bases for the
classification of the different categories of Rehabilitation facilities are: (1) Physical and
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist qualification, (2) Allied Health personnel staff qualification,
(3) Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine services available and (4) Physical set-up and equipment

a. Categories

1. As to institutional character, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
facilities are either hospital-based (if operating within a hospital set-up) or
freestanding (if operating on its own or part of a facility other than a
hospital),

2. As to the extent of services, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
facilities maybe primary, secondary, tertiary, or home-based

3. As to function, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine facility may be
utilized for training services and research or for services alone.

4. As to services, a rehabilitation Medicine facility can also be either general
or specialized.
b. A Primary Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following:

1. At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board Certified or Board eligible Physical
& Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist;

2. Atleast one (1) allied rehabilitation health professional;


3. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management with
physical therapy services;

4. Physical set-up;
5. Medical consultation area;

6. Treatment area to include at least an electrotherapy device and superficial
heating modality, and activities of daily living (ADL) training devices;

7. Gym area, to include parallel bars, mirror, weights and assistive devices such
as canes, crutches, and walkers among others;

8. Evaluation tools;
9. Adequate utilities such as water, electricity and consumables, and
10. First Aid kit with basic CPR equipment
c. A Secondary Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following:

1. Atleast one (1) PARM Specialty Board certified or Board Eligible Physical &
Rehabilitation Medicine specialist;

2. At least one (1) licensed therapist and occupational therapist;

3. Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management, physical and
‘occupational therapy services, and

4. Compliance with the primary category set-up plus deep heating modality,
manual traction and therapeutic exercise equipment for the gym area.

d. A tertiary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following:

1. At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board certified Physical & Rehabilitation
Medicine Specialist

2. At least one (1) licensed physical therapist and occupational therapist;
3. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy; prosthetics and orthotics in-

house or referral services.

4. Compliance with the secondary category set-up and equipment, with additional
two (2) superficial heating modalities, medium frequency modality, ultraviolet


or cold laser intermittent compression unit, mechanized intermittent traction
and tilt table with additional gym equipment.

5. A Training/Service and Research facility, which shall fulfill all the
requirements as a residency training institution in accordance with PARM SB
guidelines,

6. A. specialized facility which should cater to subspecialty conditions in
rehabilitation medicine including cardiac, pain, pediatric, pulmonary, sports,
among others, shall be a hospital-based facility with a multidisciplinary set-up.

SECTION 10. Application for Registration and Issuance of License. -Applications for
registration and issuance of a license shall be filed by the owner of the facility or his duly
authorized representative with the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services
Regulatory Bureau, together with an information sheet to be filled up by the Physical and
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist-in-charge. Upon receipt of the said application together with
the license fee, the PARM technical committee team will inspect the facility within sixty (60) days.
Certificates of licenses shall be issued and approved by the Head of the Department of Health
(DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau. A provisional license may be granted to
facilities with insufficient requirements for special cases for a period of one (1) year.

SECTION 11. Terms and Validity of License. — The license to operate valid for a period of two
(2) years. Application for renewal of the license shall be made during the last six (6) months of
validity. The license must be placed in a conspicuous place within the facility. A copy of the rules
and regulations should also be readily available. In any violation of the standards provided, the
license to operate may be revoked. Investigation of all charges or complaints against a Physical
and Rehabilitation Medicine facility or any of its personnel shall be made to the Accredited
Professional Organization (when complaint is against the Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
Specialist) and to the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory
Bureau for appropriate investigation

SECTION. 12. Penalties. — Any person, partnership, association, or corporation who establishes,
operates, conducts, manages or maintain a rehabilitation medicine facility within the meaning of
this Act without first obtaining a license or violates any provision of this Act or its Implementing
Rules and Regulations shall be liable to fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00)
but not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) for the first offense, and not
less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) but not to exceed One Hundred
Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) for the second offense, and not less than Two Hundred
Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) but not to exceed Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php
400,000.00) for the third and each subsequent offense with imprisonment of at least six (6) months
but not more than six (6) years. Each day that a facility or other related facility shall operate after
the first violation shall be considered a subsequent offense. Provided, that in addition to the
penalties specified in the preceding paragraph, the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities
and Services Regulatory Bureau, upon the approval of the Secretary of Health, may summarily
order the closure of any rehabilitation medicine facility found without a license. Provided further,


a

that operator/s of a rehabilitation medicine facility found guilty of operating a rehabilitation center
without a license shall no longer be allowed to operate or maintain another rehabilitation center
facility.

SECTION 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — to implement provisions of this
Act, The Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, in
coordination with the national professional organization duly recognized by the Professional
Regulation Commission, shall promulgate the rules and regulations, including the technical
standards and requirements for the registration, operation and maintenance of the rehabilitation
medicine facilities, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 14. Separability Clause. — if any part or provision of the Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other Provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, rules and regulation inconsistent with the
provision of this Act hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 16. Effectivity. — This shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in
two (2) national newspaper of the general circulation.

Approved.