Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Advancements in modern medicine have allowed for most diseases to be treated
but all the same, the adage “prevention is better than a cure” still rings true - in order
to produce the best prognosis possible, early diagnosis is key. However, in a
third-world country like the Philippines, where less than half of the population earns a
liveable wage,1 an unfortunate reality is that a lot of people opt to skip medical
check-ups, even in situations where they sorely need one. In 2019, an estimated 30%
of Filipinos are unsure whether they could afford the cost of regular medical
check-ups.2 This figure makes sense: when one earns just enough to provide for their
family’s basic needs, getting a medical check-up would be the last thought to enter
their head.
The present measure aims to bring this uncertainty out of the picture. By
mandating the State to provide a free annual medical check-up to all Filipinos, cost no
longer has to be a point of consideration. Through this, it is our hope that diagnosable
diseases will be detected at the earliest possible time, thereby reducing the number of
Filipinos who die of preventable conditions and raising the quality of life for everyone.
Thus, it is for the foregoing reasons that the passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party-List
2 Philippines healthcare unaffordable (available at https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/05/1932014/
philippines-healthcare-unaffordableare unaffordable | Philstar.com)
1 Less than half of Pinoy workers earn living wage–ADB experts (available at https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018
/07/15/less-than-half-of-pinoy-workers-earn-living-wage-adb-experts/#:~:text=Less%20than%20half%20of%20Filipi
no%20workers%20earn%20a,for%20a%20standard%20national%20minimum%20wage%20of%20P800.)
August 1, 2022
8:50 am
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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 “Free Annual Medical
Check-Up Act of 2022.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to support and
promote the right to health by enhancing programs that focus on preventive and
curative medicine that advance the health and well-being of Filipinos and prevent
disease, disability, and death. Pursuant thereto, Filipinos shall be entitled to an
annual medical check-up that is free of charge in any government hospital and
institution.
SECTION 3. Coverage. – All Filipino citizens, by virtue of their membership in
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) mandated under Republic
Act No. 11223, or the “Universal Health Care Law”, shall be entitled to the applicable
benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Program.
Members shall be entitled to a free medical check-up that shall include blood
sugar and cholesterol tests. Laboratory and diagnostic tests shall be expanded,
subject to the availability of Philhealth funds.
SECTION 4. Schedule of Free Medical Check-Up. – To promote health, identify
risks, and ensure early diagnosis, Philhealth shall establish a system that allows
access to a free annual medical check-up and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded
the quality health care services that they deserve.
SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement this Act
shall be charged against the Philhealth funds.
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SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Health
shall, in coordination with Philhealth, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
for the proper implementation of this Act not later than ninety (90) days from its
effectivity.
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,