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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS ) J.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_) ey,
FIRST REGULAR SESSION ) oe

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1566

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Article XIII, Section Il of the 1987 Constitution provides:

“Sec. Il. The State shall adopt an integrated
and comprehensive approach to health
development, which shall endeavor to make ...
services available to all the people at affordable
cost...”

Despite the constitutional mandate, health services have become a
precious commodity available only to the moneyed few. Health care costs
have skyrocketed to such levels that people are forced to resort to alternative
medicine rather than seek expensive professional medical intervention.

We can no longer ignore the persistent cries and wails of the poor and
the underprivileged for government help in their problems on medical needs.
It Is time the government address with vigor and determination the
hospitalization and medical problems of our least fortunate brothers.

The 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) found that
the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) covered only about 38 per
cent of the population, or less than four out of 10 Filipinos. It also found that
most Philhealth members have been paying members and not the indigents
who could least afford medical treatment and that only 22 per cent of
Philhealth members were indigents while more than three-fourths of members
have been paying members and their dependents.
| To remedy this situation, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said he would
i H propose an infusion of about P9 billion into Philhealth in 2010 alone to cover
4

the premiums of some 5 million poor families representing about 25 million to
28 million Filipinos. He further stated that the P9 billion infusion of funds
should be allocated for the poor so they can be automatic members of


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Philhealth. The goal is to have the healthcare of Filipinos who are really poor
completely subsidized by the government

He said that those who could afford to pay the Philhealth premiums
should do so from their own pockets and urged Filipinos enjoying state-
subsidized health insurance to exercise “personal responsibility”. According to
him, “Now is the right time to fulfill the mandate of universal healthcare for all
Filipinos. We must focus on this single national health care strategy over the
next three years..."

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly
requested.



ne

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__1066
AN ACT
APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO PROVIDE FOR UNIVERSAL PHILIPPINE

HEALTH INSURANCE CORP. (PHILHEALTH) COVERAGE TO
DESERVING INDIGENT FILIPINOS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to
provide universal healthcare for all Filipinos.

SEC. 2. The Department of Health is hereby authorized to provide poor

citizens with health insurance through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
(Philhealth).

SEC. 3. To pay for the premiums of some Five (5) million poor families
representing between Twenty-Five (25) million to Twenty-Eight (28) million
individuals, the amount of Nine Billion Pesos (P9,000,000,000.00) is hereby
appropriated to be included in the budget of the Department of Health.

SEC. 4. Repealing clause. All laws, orders, rules and regulations,

parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity clause. This Act shall take effect 30 days after its

complete publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation or
in the Official gazette.

Approved.