Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House srt no. 1080 1

Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F, Alba

AN ACT MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF PROFESSIONAL OR DOCTOR’S FEES
IN THE FINAL HOSPITALIZATION BILL OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS
TO INDIGENT PATIENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Indigent patients and their families are highly susceptible to financial
difficulties, particularly health-related expenses given their very limited financial
opportunities. The State must then ensure that the availment of indigent patients
of medical services in public and private medical hospitals does not result in any
additional burden. The final billing issued by health care institutions and
professionals should thus be transparent, reflecting clearly and accurately all
costs and charges the indigent patient must pay or settle in whatever mode. The
Department of Health, as the primary agency mandated to regulate health care
institutions and professionals, must take an active role in protecting the rights of
the indigent patients to equitable health and medical services.

Considering the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

A

J F. ALBA
RepresentYtive, 1* District, Bukidnon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

10801

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba

AN ACT MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF PROFESSIONAL OR DOCTOR'S FEES
IN THE FINAL HOSPITALIZATION BILL OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS
TO INDIGENT PATIENTS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “One Hospital Bill Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to support and
promote the Right to Health by ensuring that the availment of medical services in
public and private medical hospitals does not create additional burden to the
detriment of the indigent patients and their families relative to payment of hospital
bills. Pursuant thereto, patients shall be entitled to a fully transparent hospital bill
from any health care facility and/or professional free of hidden fees and charges.

SECTION 3. Coverage - All public and private hospitals, clinics, health care
institutions, and health care professionals shall be covered by the provisions of this
Act.

All indigent patients, whether paying in cash or through Health Maintenance
Organization (HMO), Guarantee Letters, Subsidies, and all other payment facilities,
services, and/or arrangements are likewise covered under this Act.

Patients who are indigent are identified by the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) as individuals without visible sources of income or with
income that is insufficient to support their families, based on specific criteria and
issued with a Certificate of Indigency by the Barangay.

SECTION 4. Mandatory Act - All hospitals and/or health care professionals shall
issue one final bill to indigent patient(s) regardless of the mode of payment(s) clearly
indicating the Professional or Doctor’s Fee(s) together with the costs of services
rendered, procedures, medications, and other items for payment.


Further, all government agencies and institutions providing financial assistance to
indigent patients for hospital expenses shall include coverage for the Professional or
Doctor's Fee(s), which must be incorporated in the final hospital bill.

It shall be declared illegal and a violation to issue a separate bill for the
Professional or Doctor’s Fee(s) or other fees or charges not indicated in the final
hospital bill.

SECTION 5. Penal Clause - Any public and private hospital, clinic, establishment,
doctor, physician, and other health care professional individual who will issue a
separate billing for Professional or Doctor's Fee(s) to patients shall be fined: First
Offense - One Hundred Thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00); Second Offense - Two
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00); and Third Offense ~ Cancellation of
Professional License or License to Operate.

SECTION 6. Role of the Department of Health - The Department of Health and its
agencies are mandated to receive and act on complaints arising from violations of
this Act.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations - All implementing rules and
regulations necessary to enforce this Act must be issued and shall take effect not
later than (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause - If any part, section, or provision of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain
in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repeating Clause- All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,