CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILLNo,_1628

Introduced by HONORABLE EUFRANIO C. ERIGUEL, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, it is the policy of the
State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which
shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all
the people at affordable cost. It is said that citizen's health is important in pushing for the
country's Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

While Republic Act No. 7875, otherwise known as the "National Health Insurance
Act of 1995," was enacted to ensure accessibility and affordability of health care
coverage to all citizens, the country has not completely reached its objective. Under the
Program, automatic membership is extended to beneficiaries of MEDICARE, SSS, and
GSIS members, retirees, pensioners, and their dependents, but requires indigents,
domestic helpers and the unemployed to first enroll in the Program by complying with
several requirements. Moreover, aside from the lack of mandatory coverage to all
Filipino citizens, the quality and quantity of health care has failed to address the health
needs of the people.

This bill seeks to address this disparity by ensuring that all the benefits under
Republic Act 7875 are made available to every Filipino citizen, thus requiring the


automatic enrollment of all citizens in the National Health Insurance Program. This
proposed measure gives highest priority in extending the maximum coverage to the
population with the basic minimum package of health insurance benefits. Automatic
enrollment of all citizens of the Philippines in the Program will significantly address the

country’s health needs and problems.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
Fanaa)

REPRESENPAT! EUFRANIO “FRANNY” ERIGUEL, M.D.


‘CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILLNo.__1628

Introduced by HONORABLE EUFRANIO C. ERIGUEL, M.D.

AN ACT
TO ENSURE THE MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE OF
ALL FILIPINOS TO BASIC HEALTHCARE SERVICES, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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 "Mandatory Universal
Healthcare Coverage of Every Filipino Act of 2010."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Section 15, Article 11 of the
1987 Constitution the State hereby declares the policy of protecting and promoting ‘the
right to health of the people and instilling health consciousness among them. Towards
this end, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social

services available to every Filipino at affordable cost.


SECTION. 3. Mandatory Universal Healthcare Coverage of Every Filipino. -
Every Filipino citizen shall be entitled to mandatory universal health care coverage by
their immediate and automatic inclusion in the Philippine Health Insurance coverage and
membership as provided for under Republic Act No. 7875, as amended, otherwise known
as the "National Health Insurance Act of 1995". Accordingly, all the benefits under R.A.
No. 7875 as amended shall also be made applicable and available to every Filipino
citizen: Provided, That contribution of indigent members shall be funded by the National
Government through the General Appropriations Act, without prejudice to other sources
of contribution.
SECTION 4. Section 6 of R.A. No. 7875 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 6. Coverage. - All citizens of the Philippines shall
AUTOMATICALLY be enrolled and be covered by the National
Health Insurance Program. In accordance with the principles of
universality and compulsory coverage enunciated in Section 2(b)
and 2(1) hereof, implementation of the Program shall, furthermore,
be gradual and phased in over a period of not more than fifteen (15)
years: Provided, That the Program shall not be made compulsory in
certain provinces and cities until the Corporation shall be able to
ensure that the members in such localities shall have reasonable

‘access to adequate and acceptable health care services.”

SECTION 5. Section 7 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as

follows:


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“See.7. Enrollment, ~The Program shall automatically enroll all
citizens of the Philippines as beneficiaries in order for them to be
placed under coverage that entitles them to avail of benefits with the
assistance of the financial arrangements provided by the Program.
‘The process of enrollment shall include the identification of
beneficiaries, issuance of appropriate documentation specifying
eligibility to benefits, and indicating how membership was obtained
or is being maintained. The enrollment shall proceed in accordance
with these specific policies:”
SECTION 6. Section 46 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as
follows:
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“Additional amounts are hereby authorized to be appropriated, to
augment the health insurance funds from the respective annual
earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
(PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),
equivalent to five percent (5%) thereof.” ;
SECTION 7. Information Campaign. — A three-month intensive public
information campaign shall be undertaken by the Department of Health and the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) prior to the implementation of the rules

and regulations of this Act.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Secretary of Health, in

coordination with the PHIC shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,


promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 9. Oversight Provision. Congress shall conduct a bi-annual review of
the management and implementation of the performance and program herein enacted.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be
held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions which are not affected thereby shall
remain valid and in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, including R.A. No. 7875 as
amended, decrees orders, rules and regulations or other issuance inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,