FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 2140 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution provides that the State shall prioritize the health care needs of women 
and children, among others. Furthermore, the State shall equally protect the life of the mother 
and the life of the unborn from conception. 
This bill seeks to amend Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9241, by removing the fifth and 
subsequent normal obstetrical deliveries among the excluded personal health services under the 
National Health Insurance Program. It aims to achieve a universal coverage for childbearing 
mothers and newborns, regardless of number. 
The 2006 Family Planning Survey conducted by the National Statistics Office reveals 
that 6 out of 10 birth deliveries occur at home, most by traditional midwives or "hi/ots". This is 
primarily due to the high cost of obstetrics delivery services in hospitals. Furthermore, the survey 
revealed that for every 1 00,000 live births in the Philippines, 162 women die during pregnancy 
and childbirth or shortly after childbirth. Such ratio is still far from the Millennium Development 
Goal of 55 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. 
Although Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9241 provides that the first four (4) normal 
obstetrical deliveries are covered under the Personal Health Services under the National Health 
Insurance Program, it prevents women from availing childbirth services for their fifth and 
succeeding newborns in hospitals. Such measure discriminates childbearing women from their 
right to be provided the necessary healthcare benefits after the fourth child. Moreover, it 
penalizes women with more than four children. 
Certainly, lifting the limitations in the number of childbirths will not be an incentive for 
women to have more children. Rather, it provides an opportunity for women to avail of needed 
benefits without regard to the number of children they already have. 
This measure further aims to reduce the number of childbirth-related deaths as women 
would have the choice to avail of hospital services in the delivery of her fifth and succeeding 
newborn provided under the National Health Insurance Program. 


.' 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. B. No.2140 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
REMOVING FIFTH AND SUBSEQUENT NORMAL OBSTETRICAL DELIVERIES 
AMONG THE EXCLUDED PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES UNDER THE 
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
SECTION 2 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9241 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9241 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"SEC. 11. Excluded Personal Health Services.- The benefits granted under this Act shall 
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not cover expenses for the services enumerated hereunder except when the Corporation, 
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after actuarial studies, recommends their inclusion subject to the approval of the Board: 
, 
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(a) non-prescription drugs and devices; 
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(b) alcohol abuse or dependency treatment; 
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( c) cosmetic surgery; 
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(d) optometric services; AND 
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[(e) fifth and subsequent normal obstetrical deliveries; and) 
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(E) [(f))cost-ineffective procedures, which shall be defined by the Corporation. 
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Provided, That, such actuarial studies must be done within a period of three (3) years, and 
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then periodically reviewed, to determine the financial sustainability of including the 
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foregoing personal health services in the benefit package provided for under Section 10 
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of this Act." 
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"x x x." 
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SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Health Insurance 
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Corporation shall provide the necessary implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30) 
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days upon the effectivity of this Act. 
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SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication 
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in at least (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette. 
Approved,