dey SE Jif KEPHESENTATIVES

SES

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

REPISTRNON UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

78h
HOUSE BILL NO

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A number of hospitals and clinics, and other medical institutions refuse admission of
street children with illnesses, even if these children require immediate medical or dental
attention, Their reason: these children do not have sufficient financial resources to pay the initial
“deposit” required by the medical institution

This bill requires both public and private hospitals and clinics to extend free medical and
dental services to indigent children, which include but not necessarily limited to street children,
and provides penalties for violations thereof. By virtue of the doctrine of parens patriae, indigent
children who have been neglected by their parents are the wards of the State. Congress should
therefore take every step necessary to see to it that they live healthy lives despite their
impoverished condition

This measure was previously filed by Senator Manny Villar in the 15" Congress. Passage
of this Bill is earnestly sought now in the 17" Congress.

waned IL J. ABAYON IIT

Representative
Party-List AANGAT TAYO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 785

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS, MEDICAL,
CENTERS, CLINIC, INFIRMARIES, & OTHER HEALTH CENTERS TO EXTEND
FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT CHILDREN

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

SECTION 1. All government and private hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries or other
health centers duly licensed to operate as such, are hereby required to render medical and dental
services to the indigent children, regardless of whether or not they are in danger of dying and/or
may have suffered physical injuries requiring immediate medical attention, For the purpose of
this Act, an “indigent child” is a child below eighteen (18) years of age who has health problems
requiring medical and dental services for his care and treatment, taking into account the
following factors:

The age of the child;
The financial condition of the family;

The degree of deprivation of parental care and support; and
4d. The inability of his parents to exercise parental authority.

eee

SECTION 2. The expenses and losses of earnings incurred by a private hospital, medical center,
clinic, infirmary, or other health center; or by an individual physician or dentist for medicine,
facilities, and services extended to the care and treatment of an indigent child as required he
in an amount not exceeding P300,000.00 per year, shall be deductible expenses and loses for
income tax purposes which may be carried over for a period of five years, any provision of law,
decree, executive order or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding

SECTION 3. Any hospital director, administrator, officer-in-charge, physician, or dentist in a
hospital, medical center, clinic, infirmary, or other health center who shall refuse or fail without
good cause to render the appropriate medical center or dental service pursuant to Section One of
this Act, after said case has been brought to his/her attention, or any nurse, mid-wife, medical or
dental attendant who shall refuse to extend the appropriate assistance, subject to existing rules, or
neglects to notify or call the attention of the physician or dentist in attendance, shall be punished


with imprisonment of at least one (1) year, but not more than five (5) years, or a fine of Ten
thousand pesos (P 10,000.00), but not more than Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000.00) or both fine
and imprisonment at the sound of discretion of the Court.

In the case of government hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries, or other health center,
the imposition of the appropriate penalties upon the person or person guilty of the violation of
this Act shall be without prejudice to the administrative action that may be proper. In the case of
private hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries, or other health centers, the license to
operate shall be suspended or revoked.

SECTION 4. The Department of Health in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare
and Development shall have the authority to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for
the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act

SECTION 5. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.