EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUDUC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2053
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Feb 15 202lrn 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
4:05 p.m
AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE HEMODIALYSIS, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, AND OTHER 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROVED DIALYSIS PROCEDURES TO ALL SENIOR 
CmZENS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an important contributor to global mortality and 
morbidity1. In 2017, CKD resulted into 1.2 million deaths worldwide2. With the natural 
aging of the kidneys, CKD becomes more common with Increasing age. Conditions 
prevalent in senior citizens, such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes, 
also damage the kidneys3.
CKD is largely preventable and treatable through dialysis procedures such as 
hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis4. However, the cost of medical treatment for kidney 
diseases In the country remains highly expensive. The Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation (Philhealth) only subsidizes 90 out of the 144 dialysis sessions needed in a 
year of treatment5. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the physical and financial 
vulnerabilities of our senior citizens. Not only are they at a high risk of contracting the 
virus due to their pre-existing medical conditions, but also many senior citizens only rely 
on their social pension- a measly amount of P 500 they receive monthly. Rnding other 
means of income or employment would be difficult after the age of 606. With a case rate 
of P 2,500 per session of dialysis, we cannot expect that our senior citizens needing this 
life saving treatment will be capable to pay the remaining 54 sessions amounting to P 
135,000.
1 Bikbov, Boris et al. Global, regional, and national burden of clironic kidney disease, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis 
for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, Volume 35, Issue 10225,709-733.
2 Ibid.
1 https://www.worldkidneyday.org/facts/chronic-kidney-disease/
4 2018 United States Renal Data System Data Report Volume 2.
J Philhealth Circular 22-2015 
. , „ 
, 
. ..
6 Horn, David, Charles Knox-Vydraanov, and Aura Sevilla. The Feasibility of a Universal Social Pension in th 
Philippines". Quezon City: Coalition of Services fo rthe Elderly, and HelpAge International, 2017
1


Consistent with Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution which seeks to 
endeavor to make essential goods and services available and affordable, especially for 
among others, the elderly, this bill seeks to provide free hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, 
and other Department of Health (DOH) approved dialysis procedures to senior citizens. 
To honor the efforts and contribution to society of our lolos and lolas, we must aide and 
safeguard them in their vulnerable state.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill Is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS V
Senator


eighteenth congress of the
REPUDUC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2053
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
RECEIVED
- FILED
TIME
Noex
AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE HEMODIALYSIS, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, AND OTHER 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROVED DIALYSIS PROCEDURES TO ALL SENIOR 
CITIZENS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines In Congress 
assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short We. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Dialysis for Senior
2 
Citizens Act of 2021."
3 
Sec. 2. Free Dialysis for All Senior Citizens. - The cost of all the needed
4 
hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and other Department of Health C'DOH") approved
5 
dialysis procedure shall be fully reimbursed by the Philippines Health Insurance
6 
Corporation (PHIC), provided such treatment is availed of at PHIC accredited hospitals or
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free-standing dialysis centers. Provided further, that only those procedures that use the
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dialysis solutions Included in the latest edition of the Philippine National Drug Formulary
9 
("PNDF") shall be reimbursed by the Philhealth. Provided finally, that only laboratory
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procedures and supplies considered necessary shall be covered by the Philhealth.
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Philhealth shall, as soon as possible, reimburse all official receipts for drugs, supplies, and
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laboratory procedures dated thirty (30) days prior to the date of the claimed session.
13 
Sec. 3. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the implementation of this Act
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shall be charged against the appropriations of the DOH and the PHIC in the current and
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subsequent General Appropriations Act and their own respective funds. Thereafter, the
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amount needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included In the
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budget of the concerned departments In the annual General Appropriations.
18 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the
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approval of this Act, the DOH, the PHIC, and the National Commission on Senior Citizens
20 
(NCSC), In coordination with other implementing agencies, shall formulate rules and
21 
guidelines as may be necessary for the proper implementation and enforcement of this
22 
Act.


1 
See. 5. Separability Oausa. - If any provision of this Act or the application thereof
2 
to any person or circumstance Is declared Invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions
3 
or sections of this Act and the application of such provision or section to other persons or
4 
circumstances, not affected thereby shall continue to be In full force and effect.
5 
Sec. 6. Repealing Cause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive
6 
orders, letters of Instruction, administrative orders, rules or regulations contrary to or
7 
Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended
8 
accordingly.
9 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
10 
in the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
^proved,