Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
‘Batasan Wills, Queson City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5398

Introduced by: Representative Florencio Gabriel G. Noel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

With the passing of Republic Act (R.A.) No.10533, otherwise known as “Enhanced Basic
Education Act of 2013” ot better known as the “K-12 Law,” Filipino children are now mandated
to stay in school for a longer period of time. The K-12 Law extended the country’s 10-year basic
education curriculum by adding a universal kindergarten, grades 11 and 12. While Filipino
children receive additional education due to the K-12 Law, this likewise entails that the
dependence of Filipino children to their parents are also prolonged

RA. No. 7875, otherwise known as the “National Health Insurance Act of 1995", as
amended, made available to Filipinos a national health insurance which provides a basic minimum
health insurance benefits package, subject to qualifications. As regard the “dependents,” the law
has imposed certain qualifications and limitations to be complied by the dependents to be entitled
to said benefits, namely: they should be unmarried and unemployed legitimate, legitimated,
illegitimate, acknowledged children as appearing in the birth certificate; legally adopted or
stepchildren below twenty-one (21) years of age. These qualifications complement the age where
Filipino children normally finish their basic education. However, with the passing of the Enhanced
Basic Education Act, Filipino children are not anymore dependents upon reaching second (2)
year high school

The existing law must be amended so as to supplement the change brought about by the K-

12 law. Thus, this bill seeks the extended the coverage of R.A. No. 7875, as amended, by changing
the age of legal dependents from twenty-one (21) to twenty-three (23), hence complementing the

age when Filipino students normally finish their basic education
i

Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Queson City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __539@

Introduced by: Representative Florencio Gabriel G. Noel

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL
HEALTH INSURANCE ACT OF 1995”, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 4 (f) of Republic Act 7875, as amended, is hereby amended further to read
as follows:

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows;

(f) Dependent - The legal dependents of a member are:

1. The legitimate spouse who is not a member,

2. The unmarried and unemployed legitimate, legitimated, illegitimate,
acknowledged children as appearing in the birth certificate; legally adopted
or stepchildren below TWENTY-THREE (23) years of age;

3. Children who are TWENTY-THREE (23) years old or above but suffering
from congenital disability, either physical or mental, or any disability
acquired that renders them totally dependent on the member for support;

4. The parents who are sixty (60) years old or above whose monthly income
is below an amount to be determined by the Corporation in accordance with
the guiding principles set forth in Article I of this Act.


SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulation — ninety (90) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Department of Health, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate
the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,