FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders 
(PDDs), cause severe and pervasive impairment in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to 
relate to others. These disorders are usually first diagnosed in early childhood and range from a 
severe form, called autistic disorder, through pervasive development disorder not otherwise 
specified (PDD-NOS), to a much milder form, Asperger syndrome. They also include two rare 
disorders, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder.* 
There is no single best treatment package for all children with ASD. Decisions about 
the best treatment, or combination of treatments, should be made by the parents with the 
assistance of experts. In some cases, however, the cost of treatment is prohibitive. Hence, this 
bill seeks to provide parents and their children access to treatment by requiring health insurers to 
provide full coverage not only for treatment but also the prevention, early detection and 
diagnosis of ASD. 
* http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthitopics/autism-spec~m-disorders-pe~asive-developmental-disorders/index.sh~ 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE FULL COVERAGE FOR THE 
PREVENTION, EARLY DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF 
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTIION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Autism Prevention, Early 
Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment Act of 2007.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a policy of the State to protect the physical, 
moral and social well-being of the people. Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to make 
treatment for autism spectrum disorder more accessible to those with such ailment by requiring 
health insurers to provide full coverage for its prevention, early detection, diagnosis and 
treatment. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -For the purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Autism spectrum disorder” means a neurobiological condition that includes autism, 
Asperger syndrome, Rett’s syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder; 
(B) “Department” means the Department of Health; and 
(C) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health. 
SECTION 4. Creation of an Advisory Panel on Health Insurance Coverage for Autism 
Spectrum Disorder. - (A) There is hereby established within the Department of Health an 
advisory panel on health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder. Such panel shall be 
composed of nine (9) members who are experts in health care and appointed as follows: Seven 
(7) members who are officers or employees of the Department of Health with a background in 
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mental health or mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall be appointed by the 
President; and the Senate President and the Speaker of the House shall each appoint a member 
who is a representative of an autism advocacy group. 
(B) Each member shall serve a term of two (2) years. The President shall designate the 
Chair of the panel from among his or her appointees. Vacancies in the membership of the panel 
shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. 
The members of the panel shall receive no compensation for their services hut shall be 
allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant 
to this Act. 
(C) The advisory panel on health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder shall 
annually, on or before September first, compile and submit to the Secretary a list of successful 
treatment and therapy options for autism spectrum disorder that will he required to he covered 
pursuant to this Act. 
(D) Within forty-five (45) days of receipt of each list submitted pursuant to Paragraph C 
of this Section, the Secretary shall, on an emergency basis, promulgate and implement rules and 
regulations requiring coverage for the treatment and therapy options included in each such list. 
SECTION 5. Creation of an Autism and Health Insurance Coverage Hotline. - Within 
one hundred eighty (180) days of the submission of the initial list to the Secretary pursuant to 
Section 4(C) of this Act, the Department shall establish and operate an autism and health 
insurance coverage hotline. The hotline shall be a toll-free, twenty-four (24) hour a day 
consumer call center for families with autistic children who have complaints about or questions 
on insurers and coverage for autism spectrum disorder. All complaints received by such hotline 
shall he documented and referred to the appropriate official in the department for corrective 
action. 
(B) The Department may contract with a qualified non-profit corporation for the 
provision and operation of the hotline required by this Section. Any such contract shall only be 
awarded after the Department has conducted a request for proposals process. The Department 
shall select a non-profit corporation which has the resources and ability to operate a statewide 
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hotline, and is staffed by employees and/or volunteers with strong experience in autism spectrum 
disorder. 
(C) If the Department elects to establish and operate the hotline using its own personnel 
and resources, such hotline shall be staffed by officers and employees with strong experience in 
autism spectrum disorder. Until the Civil Service Commission shall have established civil 
service titles and competitive examinations for positions as employees of the hotline, the 
Secretary is authorized and 
appoint and employ such qualified officers and 
employees as shall be necessary to operate the autism and health insurance coverage hotline. 
directed to 
(D) The Secretary is authorized to promulgate and implement any rules and regulations 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the remainder of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. 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, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Irgs 
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