Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRES!
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

Introduced by Senior Citizens Partylist Representative
HON. GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is an established fact that the need of a person for health care increases
as one reaches the twilight years of life. It is unfortunate that at such stage, one
is already hardly employable for a means of livelihood to answer for these
expensive health services. Such is the predicament of many of our senior
citizens. According to the National Statistics Office, our senior citizens number
around 5.8 million or about 6.5% of our population in 2011

The privileges our senior citizens currently enjoy under existing laws are
hardly sufficient to respond to their needs, particularly with respect to their
medical and health needs. While they have given so much during the prime of
their lives as productive members of society, they are now left to provide for
themselves. For the government to provide them free medication and
hospitalization benefits through its instrumentalities is just a fitting appreciation
of their contributions.

This measure proposes to provide free hospitalization and medicines
needed by indigent senior citizens times in of ailment to ensure that they attain a
more meaningful and productive life.

For this reason, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly urged.

HON. GDDOFREDO V. ARQUIZA
Senior Citizens Partylist Representative


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No._6 ©

Introduced by Senior Citizens Partylist Representative
HON. GODOFREDO VY. ARQUIZA

AN ACT
MANDATING FREE MEDICATION AND HOSPITALIZATION
TO INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS IN ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy - \t shall be the policy of the State to
promote the right to health of the people, particularly of the elderly members of
society who have contributed much to nation-building during the prime of their life
but are now unable to provide for themselves. To this end, the State shall
establish programs of social security for the care and welfare of indigent senior
citizens, such as the provision of free medication and hospitalization in all
government hospitals.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms

a) Indigent Senior Citizen - any citizen who is sixty or more years of age
who, due to age-related infirmity, disability or ailment, is incapable to earn
his livelihood and who has no means to provide for his medication and
hospitalization needs;

b) Government Hospital — includes all public hospitals, whether operated by
the National Government or any Local Government Unit, irrespective of
their levels and classifications as determined by the Department of Health;

°)

Medication - the provision to indigent senior citizens of all medicine and
similar substances duly approved by the authorities for dispensation and
use, required to prevent or cure specific ailments or conditions suffered
by them;

qd)

Hospitalization - the provision to indigent senior citizens of medical
treatment and care, including surgeries and other medical procedures
required by their ailments or conditions, as well as confinement.


SECTION 3. Provision of Free Medication and Hospitalization - All
government hospitals are hereby mandated to provide free medication and
hospitalization to all indigent senior citizens.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of
Health shall formulate and promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause ~All laws, issuances, decrees, orders, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6 _ Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) fays

from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Adopted.