Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18" Congress
First Regular Session

nousgeniwo,_°528

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State has the primary task of instilling health awareness and
promoting the right to health of the people as enshrined in Section 15 of
Article II of our Constitution. Social justice being the backbone of the common
man is highly regarded by the State.

Given this, Congress enacted Republic Act no. 9439, or “ An Act
Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on the
Ground of Nonpayment of Hospital bills or Medical Expenses”, which pertains
primarily to the illegal detention of patients who are unable to settle their
hospital bills on the spot. While the detention part is being addressed by this
law, the interest earned by the principal hospital balance accrues over time
and adds up to the agony and stress of the less privileged patients looking for
means to settle the debt.

This bill prohibits the imposition of additional interest and penalty
charges on unpaid hospital bills for one year upon discharge. It also extends to
patients who are minors, whose parents belong to the less privileged or the
minimum wage earners or less. It gives them a chance to secure payment
without interest for a year and to at least recover from the physical, emotional
and financial burden brought about by the crisis in their families.

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

L Moun

LORNA C. SILVERIO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

18" Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. OTS

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO-

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION OF INTEREST AND/OR PENALTY CHARGES
ON UNPAID HOSPITAL BILLS AND MEDICAL EXPENSES TO PATIENTS WHO EARN
MINIMUM WAGE OR LESS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — Itis the policy of the State to protect the right to health of
the people.

SECTION 2. Probihition on Interest and/or Penalty Charges on Unpaid Hospital Bills or
Medical Expenses. - It shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic in the country to
charge or impose other penalties on unpaid hospital bills and medical expenses of patients who
eam minimum wage or less, for one year from the date of discharge.

This prohibition shall likewise apply to the unpaid hospital bills and medical expenses of minor
patients whose parents or legal guardians earn minimum wage or less.

Any officer or employee of the hospital or medical clinic responsible for billing and violates the
provision of this Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php
20,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00), or imprisonment of not less
than one (1) month but not more than six (6), or both such fine and imprisonment, at the
discretion of the proper court.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of Health shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act within
ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Act.


SECTION 4. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and
issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the
Offcial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

Boneh ln