5 NOV 26 f33:13 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
SECOND 
REGULAR 
SESSION) 
~
~
~
~
~
/
By : 
SENATE 
2162 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR ALFRED0 S. LIM 
EXP IAN AT0 RY NOTE 
As we continue to hear good news on the numerous 
government and private programs geared to provide health care, we 
also continue to receive pathetic plaints from the common man of his 
despondency and helplessness in obtaining medical assistance and 
care because of poverty. 
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. 
For, like the many who enjoy the modern and state of the art 
treatment, they, too, deserve even the minimal but efficient and 
effective hospital service. 
A healthy nation with a healthy people breeds a healthy 
environment conducive to wholesome living. 
The bill seeks to give free medical care to the poor and 
destitute in all the fourteen (14) regions of the country consisting of 


-2- 
free hospitalization and free medicines and other aids for fast 
recovery or rehabilitation. 
Needless to state, patients receiving medical care, services or 
assistance under other programs such as the SSS, GSIS, Phil- 
Health, private insurance and the like will not be entitled to any 
benefit under the program as their needs are obviously taken cared of 
by the agencies providing them with such medical care. 
To effectively carry out the objectives of the proposed law, an 
Office of the Regional Medical Care Program (ORMCP) under the 
Department of Health to be headed by an undersecretary is created. 
Considering the gargantuan costs of building hospitals and 
acquiring equipment and facilities, including manpower and 
maintenance costs that would entail in setting up a brand new 
hospital, not to mention the delays in the implementation of the 
program for construction and mobilization, it is the bill's intention to 
provide immediate medical care through existing private hospitals 
and do away with building new hospitals. 
On the other hand, by availing of the services of existing private 
hospitals, a concept that is followed even in foreign countries 
pursuing their welfare state programs, the government incurs the 
least cost and directly encourages enterprising medical practitioners 
to build more private hospitals. 
Thus, free medical care under the proposed law is to be 
achieved in contractual arrangement with an accredited private 
hospital in every region. 
Upon being accredited, the hospital must allocate 20% of its 
hospital beds for patients duly entitled to avail of the benefits under 
the program. 


- 3 -  
After the hospital renders service to the patient, the government 
shall pay the accredited hospital whatever hospitalization costs are 
incurred for the purpose. 
A 


5 NOY 16 ? 3 : ' 3  
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
SECOND 
REGULAR 
SESSION) 
RECE~VEQ : 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
2162 
Introduced by SENATOR ALFRED0 S. LIM 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR FREE MEDICAL CARE 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "FREE MEDICAL CARE 
PROGRAM OF 2005"AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives 
of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Dec/arafion of Policies. - (a) It is the policy of the 
State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill I health consciousness among them. (Sec. 15, Art. 
II, 
Constitution) 
(b) It is the policy of the State to insure full medical care to the 
poor and destitute by providing them adequate hospital treatment, 
health services and medicinal support. 
SECTION 2. Regional Medical Care Program. - There is hereby 
established a Regional Medical Care Program (RMCP) in each of the 
fourteen (14) regions in the country which shall comprise the 
following: 
(a) Free hospitalization and medical services to the poor and 
those who have no means to avail of such services; 


- 2 -  
(b) Sustained provision for medicines or other aids to assist in 
the fast recovery of the patients; 
(c) Patients receiving medical carelserviceslassistance under 
other programs such as the SSS, GSIS, Phil-Health, private 
insurance and the like shall not be entitled to any benefit under this 
program. 
SECTION 3. Office of the Regional Medical Care Program. - 
There is hereby created the Office of the Regional Medical Care 
Program (ORMCP) under the Department of Health which shall be 
headed by the Undersecretary for Regional Medical Care Program 
with the same qualification, rank and emolument of an undersecretary 
of health who shall be appointed by the President to serve for a term 
of not exceeding six (6) years who shall have the following powers 
and duties: 
(a) To formulate, administer, manage and implement the free 
hospitalization and medical care program envisioned in this Act with 
the end in view of providing such services for free to poor patients; 
(b) To determine and designate private hospitals in every 
region which may qualify to participate in the program as well as the 
number of indigent beneficiaries who deserve to be treated in such 
hospitals; 
(c) To prepare and submit the budgetary requirements under 
the program based on the preceding fiscal year with upward 
adjustment not exceeding ten (70%) percent; provided, however, 
upon the initial implementation of the program, the budget shall be 
based on the amount allocated herein; 
(d) To tap, deputize and enlist the services of the regular 
personnel of the Department of Health in every region as may be 
necessary to implement the program and enforce such rules and 
regulations as the head of the ORMCP may determine; 


- 3 -  
(e) To submit monthly operational reports to the Secretary of 
Health and the Oversight Committee of 
Congress on the 
hospitalization and medical services extended to the indigent patients 
as may aid in ascertaining the effectivity and viability of the program; 
(9 To appoint additional personnel as shall be necessary to 
effectively carry out the objectives of the program in all the regions; 
provided, however, that they are civil service eligibles; 
(9) To promulgate such rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 4. Program Management and Sectors lnvolved- The 
program shall be managed and administered by the Undersecretary 
for Regional Medical Care and shall involve private hospitals in every 
region as are duly accredited under the program: 
(a) After pre-qualification bidding, one (1) private hospital shall 
be accredited for every region which shall allocate 20% of its hospital 
beds for patients duly entitled to avail of the benefits under the 
program: provided, however, the accreditation may be cancelled if it 
is determined by the head that the services are poor or inadequate; 
(b) Patients may be qualified as beneficiaries provided they do 
not own any real property or their annual gross income do not exceed 
One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PI 00,000.00); 


- 4 -  
(c) The regional office shall, upon admission of the patient in 
the accredited hospital, advise the central office of such admission to 
make available the funds for the purpose. 
SECTION 5. Funding and Appropriation- The amount of Seven 
Billion Pesos (P 7,000,000,000.00) 
is hereby appropriated to carry 
out the purposes of this act to be taken from funds not otherwise 
appropriated but included in the proposed 2005 annual appropriation 
Act. 
SECTION 6. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect upon its 
approval. 
Approved