REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, 7223

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 is seen as a big leap
towards reforming the country’s health care system as it ensures all Filipinos access to
comprehensive healthcare services and significantly reducing the out of pocket expenses
by individuals and their families. The enactment of this landmark measure is cognizant
to the right to health of every Filipino as mandated by the Constitution.

Recently, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) identified certain
provisions in the law which hinders the flexibility in the determination, fixing and
reduction of published case rates/packages. To address this, the proposed measure seeks
to amend Sections 9 and 34 of the Universal Health Care Act to enable PhilHealth to adjust
the packages subject to the review, assessment, and recommendation of the Health
Technology Assessment Council.

As our country continues to battle the pervasive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the
more should the benefits of the Universal Health Care Act continually pour towards our
marginalized citizens.

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

REP. an ALEXIE B. TUTOR


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo, 7223

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT

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

SECTION 1. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act
is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 9. Entitlement to Benefits. - Every member shall be granted
immediate eligibility for health benefit package under the Program:
Provided, That PhilHealth Identification Card shall not be required in
the availment of any health service: Provided, further, That no co-
payment shall be charged for services rendered in basic or ward
accommodation: Provided, furthermore, That co-payments and co-
insurance for amenities in public hospitals shall be regulated by the
DOH and PhilHealth: Provided, [finally] FURTHERMORE, That the
[current] EXISTING PhilHealth [package] COVERAGE for members
shall not be reduced: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE AMOUNTS
UNDER EACH BENEFIT PACKAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE
REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
ASSESSMENT COUNCIL PURSUANT TO SECTION 34 OF THIS ACT.”

SEC. 2. Section 34 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 34. Health Technology Assessment (HTA). ~

(a) xxx.

(b) xxx.

(c) The HTAC, to be composed of health experts, shall be created within
the DOH and supported by a Secretariat and a Technical Unit for
Policy, Planning and Evaluation with evidence generation and
validation capacity, The HTAC shall: (1) facilitate provision of
financing and/or coverage recommendations on health
technologies to be financed by DOH and PhilHealth; (2) oversee and
coordinate the HTA process within DOH and PhilHealth; and (3)
review and assess existing DOH and PhilHealth benefit packages
AND RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE AND REASONABLE


AMOUNTS PER PACKAGE BASED ON _ PREVAILING
TECHNOLOGIES AND/OR TREATMENT. Within five (5) years
after the establishment and effective operation of the HTAC, it shall
transition into an independent entity separate from the DOH,
attached to DOST.

(xxx.

(e) xxx.”

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly

SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of the general circulation.

Approved,