Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTII CONGRES S
Second Regular Session
.,
House Bill No. 9085
Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
EXPIANA:IORY NOTE
This  proposed  measure  seeks  to  address  the  pervasive  issue  of
transparency  in  medical  billing  while  aiming  to  prevent  exorbitant  costs
within  our  healthcare  system,  which  have  burdened  our  citizens  for  the
longest time. In situations where almost, if not all, basic commodities, such as
health  care  services,  continue  to  soar high,  people  resorting to  alternative
forms of medication other than going and staying in healthcare facilities is a
common yet unfortunate repercussion of this persisting problem.
Introducing  a  mandatory  measure  requiring  healthcare  facilities  to
provide  a  comprehensive  and  reliable  price  list,  including  all  incidental
expenses, is a vital step towards transparency and empowerment of patients
as it will further safeguard them from misleading and unfair practices in the
healthcare system.
Transparent  pricing  information  can  empower  individuals  to  make
decisions, especially in terms of comparing costs of one institution to another
and  freely  deciding  where  is  the  most  ideal  facility to  avail.  In  a  greater
scheme,  this  will  help  the  state  achieve  its  aim  for  a  fair  and  equitable
healthcare system for all. In this proposed bill, it also provides power to the
Department  of Health  (DOH)  to  determine  penalties  and  fines  for  those
non-compliant individual and juridical entities.
sought.
1
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEEr`ITTI CONGRES S
Second Regular Session
`.`t     HouseBfl|No.9085
Introduced by Rep. ANGEL0 MARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
AVAor
REQUIRING HEAI+TIICARE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE A PRICE
LIST 0F ITS HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INCLUDING INCIDENTAL
EXPENSES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES, TIIAT CAN BE CIIARGED
IN THE MEDICAL BILL
Be  it  enacted by  the  Senate  cnd. the  Ho:use  Of Representc[rfues  Of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SEcrl0N 1. SJiorf ri.£Ze. - This Act shall be known as the "Healthcare
Services Price Disclosure Act."
SEcrl0N 2. DecJaraft.on o/Poll.cu. -The State recognizes and upholds
the  fundamental  right  to  health  of  its  citizens.  The  State  shall  enforce
measures  to  safeguard  and  advance  the  well-being  of the  people  and  to
achieve transparency in healthcare.
In view thereof, the State shall diligently mandate all healthcare facilities
to   a   comprehensive   price   list   accompanying   incidental   expenses   and
accessible information to the public.
SECTI:OEN 8. Price List Of Heal.thoare Services and Incidental Expenses
Inelnding Medical Supplies Offered and Charged by a Healthcare Facttiky. -
Healthcare facilities shall be required to provide a comprehensive list of prices
for  their  healthcare  services,  incidental  expenses,  and  medical  supplies.
Likewise, the facility must ensure that the price list is readily available to the
general public without the need for additional inquiries.
Furthermore,  all  medical  bills  must include  a  detailed breakdown  and
itemization  of  all  healthcare  services,  incidental  expenses,   and  medical
supplies utilized by the patient, along with the corresponding prices charged.
SHCTI0IN 4. Price List Of Heal.thcare Services, Inctdenlal Expenses, and
Medical Suppttes Binding on Healthcare Facttdy. -Upon tine aldmisston Of aL
patient,  the  healthcare  facility is  obligated  to  the  price  list  for  healthcare
services, incidental expenses, and medical supplies. Any changes or increases
in the prices of these services will only be valid and applicable after being
properly posted in accordance with the requirements stated in this Act.


In addition, patients who were admitted prior to the posting of the price
increase will not be subjected to new prices and will continue to be charged
based on the previous prices.
SEonoN 5.  Pena!fi.es.  - The  Department of Health  (DOH)  is vested
with  authority to determine the  penalties  associated with  non-compliance.
These penalties may include the suspension or revocation of the healthcare
facility's  license  to  operate,  or  the  recommendation  for the  suspension  of
professional licenses to practice.
SECITON  6.  Jmpzemenft.7tg  Ageney.  -  The  DOH  shall  enforce  the
provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
SFC"9RI 7_._ Implemerqng Rules and Regulations. - Within :ninety (9o)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall, in consultation with the
Department of Interior and Ijocal Government (DILG), and other concerned
government  and  private   agencies,   promulgate   the   necessary  rules   and
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
SECI'ION 8. SeparabiJi.dy CJause. - In case any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions sham remain in effect.
SECI'I0N  9.  RepeaJI.rig  CJouse.  - AIl laws,  decrees,  orders,  rules  and
regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEorloN  io. E#ecn.tjz.fry.  - This Act shall take effect fifteen  (15)  days
after its publication in the O#cz.aJ Gczzette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.
Approved,