Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4301

Introduced by Rep. Ray Florence T. Reyes

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The passage of the Universal Health Care Act was a monumental step in
health care as it has ensured that all Filipinos are automatically enrolled in the
National Health Insurance Program.

Despite additional funding from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Sin Tax Reform Law, and the
allocated budget for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), there
still exists a budget deficit that hinders the full implementation of the law and limits
access to the benefits provided therefrom. Health spending in the past years has
risen due to the pandemic, but its share in the national budget has considerably
dipped.

The World Bank estimates that the Philippines records the highest share of
household expenditure for health in its region at 45 percent. The National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA) estimates that more than half of all medical
expenditures of Filipinos are still paid largely out of pocket, with medicine holding up
most of these expenses.

At the moment, around 36 million Filipinos and their dependents fall under the
classification of indirect or non-contributory members. These members, mostly
comprised of indigent Filipinos and senior citizens, are dependent on direct
contributions from other members and subsidies from the government. Despite
making up only 37 percent of all members, they account for 45 percent of claims
payment.

It is the hope of this representation that the passage of this bill into law
bridges the gap in expenditure that would allow PhilHealth to extend its services and
make the benefits provided for by law more accessible to all Filipinos, particularly
those who are dependent on government subsidies for their continuing health care

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

“ RECEIVED
GAPS, 3 1 2022

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4301

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Ray Florence T. Reyes

AN ACT ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE UNIVERSAL HEALTH
CARE ACT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 309, AS
AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 392 S.1950, AS AMENDED BY
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 420 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CREATING THE
PHILIPPINE RACING COMMISSION

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Presidential Decree 420 is amended to read as follows:
“SECTION 3. Aims and Objectives - X X X
a. XXX
b. XXX

XXX

d. TO ENGAGE, PARTICIPATE, AND CONTRIBUTE IN HEALTH AND
WELFARE RELATED INVESTMENTS, PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND
ACTIVITIES, BY ITSELF OR IN COLLABORATION, ASSOCIATION, OR
JOINT VENTURE WITH ANY PERSON, ASSOCIATION, COMPANY, OR
ENTITY, WHETHER DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PROVIDING FOR PERMANENT AND CONTINUING SOURCES OF FUNDS
FOR HEALTH PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSAL HEALTH
CaRE AcT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THROUGH THE
PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ITS SUCCESSOR
OR FUTURE ITERATION: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH INVESTMENTS WILL
NOT COMPETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN AREAS WHERE
INVESTMENTS ARE ADEQUATE, AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE
NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.”

°


SECTION 2. Insert a new section after Section 11 to Presidential Decree 420 to read
as follows:

SECTION 12. ALLOCATION OF GROSS RECEIPTS IN
SUPPORT OF HEALTH RELATED INVESTMENTS AND
ACTIVITIES. Fir TEEN (15%) PERCENT OF THE GROSS SALES FROM
EVERY RACE WILL BE SET ASIDE AS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM OR ITS SUCCESSOR OR
FUTURE ITERATION AS FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSAL
HEALTH Care Act.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. — \f any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,