FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 726 
, 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution in no uncertain 
terms lays down the national health policy of our country in this manner: "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 all the people at affordable cost." 
Unfortunately, it would seem that the State has failed, and continues to 
fail, in performing the above-quoted Constitutional imperative. In fact, health 
financing does not rank high in the govemment's priorities. In 2005, of the Php 
181Billion total expenditure for health, 48.4% came from out-of-pocket 
expenditure of individual families. Govemment's share, on the other hand, was 
only 28.7% while social health insurance accounted for 11 % and health 
expenditure from other sources like private health insurance or community based 
financing accounted for 11.9%. These data clearly show that the burden of 
paying for health care services is from out-of-pocket payments. Considering that 
26.9% of Filipino families are . below the poverty threshold in 2006, it is 
unimaginable how Filipinos, who are everyday grappling with the hardships of 
economic realities, will be able to afford a decent healthcare service for 
themselves and their families. 
Thus, this proposed measure mandates that every Filipino be entitled to 
mandatory universal health care coverage by their immediate inclusion and 
membership in the Philippine Health Insurance system which will entitle them to 
all the healthcare benefits provided under Republic ActNo.7875. The mandatory 
universal coverage mandated by this bill shall be supported by premium 
payments made by the National Govemment to the PhilHealth, which shall be 
included annually in the General Appropriations Act, without prejudice to other 
sources of contribution. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 726 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO 
ENSURE 
THAT 
EVERY 
FILIPINO 
IS 
GRANTED· WITH 
BASIC 
HEAL THCARE 
SERVICES, 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
THE 
PURPOSE 
A 
MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Tit/e. - This Act shall be known as the "Mandatory 
Universal Healthcare Coverage, of Every Filipino Act. " 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 3. Mandatory Universal Healthcare Coverage of Every Filipino. -
Every Filipino citizen shall be entitled to mandatory universal healthcare 
coverage by their immediate and automatic inclusion to Philippine Health 
Insurance coverage and membership as provided for under Republic Act No. 
7875 otherwise known as the' "National Health Insurance Act of 1995;" 
Accordingly, all the benefits under Republic Act No. 7875 shall also be made 
applicable and available to every Filipino citizen. Provided, That such universal" 
coverage shall be funded by. the National Government through premium 
payments to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, which shall be included 
annually in the General Appropriations Act, without prejudice to other sources of 
contribution. 
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of 
Health, in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (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. 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the professions not affected thereby shall continue to 
be in full force and effect. 


• 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees orders, rules and 
regulations or other issuance inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,