NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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of rijf ••■.'i'tnn
*22 JUL12 AlO :21
S E N A T
S. B. No.
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines, as a state party to the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights, recognizes the Right to Health as a fundamental human right. The Philippine 
Constitution also provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Moreover, it is 
also the duty 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.
The COVID-19 pandemic exhibited the many vulnerabilities of Filipinos, the 
biggest being our overall health and wellness as the disease resulted in the deaths of 
thousands - with most of them having various pre-existing conditions and 
comorbidities. What is unfortunate is that many of these conditions and 
comorbidities, such as coronary heart diseases or diabetes, could have been 
adequately addressed if these were screened early. Even prior to the pandemic, the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) already noted that among the top ten leading 
causes of death from 2015-2019 include heart diseases, pneumonia, diabetes, and 
hypertensive diseases.
The Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) 
attributed this to the "poor health-seeking behavior" of Filipinos. In fact, according 
to a 2018 study by Dayrit, Lagrada, et al. published by the WHO, "care-seeking 
behavior among Filipinos is largely dictated by the ability to pay (household income)


and, deaus. of 
„„„ wllt 
lhis 
^
0 en delayed. [,..J Until the condition becomes se-loos, the pabent ma, opt for self- 
care or take alternative remedies, including traditional healing."
Hence, as Filipinos have become more cognizant of the importance of taking
care of one's health and wellness and as our government continues to roll out an
e icent and equitable Universal Health Care as provided under Republic Act No
11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, there is a need to provide another
opportunity for Filipinos to be able to access preventive care without incurring
additional financial burden. Through this measure, Filipinos - who are automatically
members of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) by virtue of R.A. No. 11223 - would be able to
access free annual medical check-ups which shall include blood sugar and
cholesterol tests. This program, which shall be created and managed by PhilHealth
Will not only help Filipinos assess their well-being and address their most immediate
health concerns but also hopefully address the growing cost of healthcare in the 
country.
Through this policy, we are empowering Filipinos to take a more proactive
stance towards their own health and, in turn, create a more health-conscious 
population.
In view of the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
NNY ANGARA


imiimeteenth congress of the
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
Ot tiif 4v-:rff,'fnt
JOL 12 AlO .-21
SENATE
S. B. No. _222
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
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providing for free annual medkaI check-up for FILIPINOS
Congress assembled-^ the Senate and House of ^Representative of the Philippines in
MedicafaeTcrupL5,fr0/# " Th'S ACt Shal1 ^ kn°Wn 35 thS "Free Annuai
improving the 
hea|tl, care sWem ^ terms of 
^ 
“
LTnotirB r ,'eal“’‘S“kin!, teha'/tor of °"zens-«"P «h this, Filipinos shall
Hoar 
medlCal CheCk'UP- 'h™3h 
the Philippin.
C a“ri0" (PhilHea“,' “,S f“ "f “ - —
SEC. 3. Coverage. -
A. Population Coverage. - Every Filippo citizen shall be covered by the free 
annual medical check-up under this Act pursuant to Sec. 5 of R.A. No. 
11223 or the "Universal Health Care Act.
B. Medical Check-Up Coverage. - PhilHealth, in consultation with the 
Department of Health (DOH); shall establish a program to provide 
F IP,nos With free annual medical check-up including, but not limited to 
blood sugar end cholesterol tests: Provided, That, prior to the availment 
of laboratory and/or diagnostic exams, the patient must first be screened
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t WHealft-acaeCW prlmary prov|aer aj staKd m(ier
W) of R.A. 11223 in order to eoaiuate the patient and identily which 
aboratory and/or diagnostic eicams shoold he adnrinistered: /.roi,aed
s^ali r T tlK aVa""Knt °' *he '‘b0rat‘"r and/0r dia9“* 'xs™ 
Mi be thmogh PhilHealth-accredited heaith care InsotoBons (Has)-
mat, upon approva| of lhe miHeM
a oratory and/or diagnosBc eyam shall be expanded subject to the 
availability o, PhllHeaith funds and the current and emerging health
necessities Of Filipinos.
SEC. 4.5cwe afFree Medica, Check_Up _ The duratjon of avaj(j 
t
ree medical check-up shall be for the whole calendar year. PhllHeaith shall establish
:Ce~hateveryFi,ipiTO^
SEC. 5. implementing Rules and Regulations. - PhllHeaith shall be 
primarily responsible in implementinp the provisions of this Act. PhLl ^
onsutetion with DOH, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and 
g ations within thirty (30) days upon effectivity of this Act
be chamed 
-The amount —ry to'implement this Act shall
CO t -h r a9ainSt the t0tal revenue 0f PhilHea!th' comPosed of premium 
ontributions from direct contributors and premium subsidies of the government for
ind.ert contributors, of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter 
in, i-H 
Separab"ity Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
be 'f::cons:rthe °ther provisions not affected thereby shai1 c°ntinue to
De in full force and effect.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, other issuances 
ules and regulations, or parts thereof Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are' 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
oubi JEC- 
- ™s Att shaN 
flftdcp (15) days after ftp
publicabcn fbe odfea laypae or in a ^ pf genefal
y^pproi/eo^/r