0.8 JUL 2013

Republic of the Philippines
Gio PH

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO 1210

Introduced by HONORABLE MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

sic health services is a primordial State concern that de
ts of measures aimed to make health goods and services available

Without health as a critical component in socio-econor
is no way we can truly ameliorate our people's living conditic

The
vigorous. pul
people at an affordable co:
development processes, ther

Lamentably, the health status of Filipinos, despite attempts to improve delivery of
health services, has been disappointing and has in fact, never gone even close to
acceptable levels. Compared to other countries, including those in South Eas!
Philippines obviously, lags behind in terms of medical health expenditures

Previously, the Philippines allocates only a little over three percent of
domestic product to health care spending, which is way below the 5% benchmark set

World Health Organization - and only 13% of this is used for public health.

Considering the existing budget deficit problem, the government should
creative avenues, within a limited resource framework, to effect reforms in the ar:
finance, public health, local health system, health care regulation and other equi
concerns. Further, the government should support policy measures that target the po

underprivileged sectors

In view of the foregoing, this bill which seeks to prohibit the practice of withhold!
ischarge of indigent patients who fail to pay hospital or medical bills incurr
emergency treatment is being proposed for the purpose. Hence, immediate passage of the

measure is earnestly sought,
Santas, Fe

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.
Representative, 1° District
City of Marikina



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 1210

Introduced by HONORABLE MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF WITHHOLDING THE DISCHARGE OF
INDIGENT PATIENTS WHO FAIL TO PAY HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL BILLS
INCURRED DUE TO EMERGENCY TREATMENT AND SUPPORT,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, SECTION 3 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
702, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8344

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Batas Pambansa Big. 702, as amended by
Republic Act No. 8344, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 3. AFTER THE HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL CLINIC
MENTIONED ABOVE SHALL HAVE ADMINISTERED MEDICAL TREATMENT
AND SUPPORT, IT MAY CAUSE THE TRANSFER OF THE PATIENT
PREFERABLY TO A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE
OF POOR OR INDIGENT PATIENTS.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL POOR OR_ INDIGENT
PATIENTS BE KEPT ON CONTINUED CONFINEMENT AND REFUSED
DISCHARGE BY REASON OF INABILITY TO PAY HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL
INCURRED FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT AND SUPPORT.”

SECTION. 2. Section 5 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 702, as amended by
Republic Act No, 8344, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 5. The Department of Health in collaboration with the Department
of Social Welfare_and Development shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect immediately upon approval.