Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 4590

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B. FORTUNO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The health of the citizens certainly determines the energy and vigour of the nation. It is
‘in the light that framers of the 1987 Constitution explicitly includes the mandate to protect and
promote the right to health of every Filipino and instill health consciousness among them. It is a
well-known fact however that many people due to extreme poverty, particularly those in the
lower echelon of our society die without even seeing a doctor. They give utmost priority to
buying goods that will satisfy their empty stomachs before buying medicines or seeing a doctor
to cure their illness,

The government effort to encourage doctors to go the barrios will come to naught if the
people do not have anything to buy the prescribed medicines or have nothing to spend for their
confinement in the hospitals. Most people will tend to ignore doctor's advice given the economic
reality in our midst,

It is therefore imperative for the government to launch a mandatory healthcare coverage
programm that will provide for healthcare benefits to every Filipino.

In view of the foregoing reasons, the approval of this important piece of legislation is
eamestly sought.

REP, SALVIO B. FORTUNO
Fifth District, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 4590

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B. FORTUNO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
€
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives
of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Mandatory
Universal Healthcare Coverage Program of 2011.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of every Filipino and instill health consciousness among
them. Toward this end, the State shall adopt a comprehensive approach to healthcare program
that shall make available healthcare coverage to all citizens.

SEC. 3. Mandatory Healthcare Coverage Program. — All Filipino citizens shall be
entitled to the mandatory’ universal healthcare coverage benefit by causing their automatic
inclusion to the Philippine Healthcare membership under Republic Act No. 7875 otherwise
known as the “National Health Insurance Act of 1995."

SEC, 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations, — The Secretary of the Department of
Health, in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged
against the unexpended appropriations for the current year. Thereafter, such sums as may be
necessary shall be included in the annual appropriations of the Department of Health.

SEC. 6, Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,