Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN
ACT
PROVIDING
FOR
A
FREE
ANNUAL
MEDICAL
CHECK-UP
AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Furthermore, the
State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential health and other social services available to all people at affordable
cost. Corollary to this, the State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers. 1
Under the Universal Health Care Act, the state healthcare policy shall comprise an integrated and
comprehensive approach to ensure all Filipinos are health literate, provided with healthy living
conditions and protected from health risks and hazards.2 Needs of the population who cannot
afford a comprehensive set of quality and cost-effective, promotive, preventive, curative,
rehabilitative and palliative health services shall be prioritized.3
Annual physical examinations are essential to secure a long and healthy life. Medical
examinations are important for individuals to be aware of their current health conditions, and to
keep abreast of any sign or symptoms that could lead to serious illness. After all, arresting any
health issue at the early stage is key to saving lives. Early diagnosis can prevent any further risks
before it becomes too late.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), every Filipino spent nearly Php 10,000 a
year for health-related goods and services in 2021.4 This means that health expenses continue to
constitute a huge chunk of household income. Household-out-of-pocket expenses are still too
high, and can be too much to carry for a poor Filipino household. Given the rising costs of
healthcare, households will unlikely pursue preventive healthcare measures, such as annual
physical examinations.
With the passage of this legislative measure, all Filipino citizens will be granted a right, through
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, to undergo annual physical examinations once a
year. The passage of this bill is urged in order to alleviate the burden of rising healthcare costs of
our marginalized communities. Through this measure, we are actualizing our state promise to
uphold access to healthcare as a right and to provide free medical care to the marginalized.
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato
1 Article XIII, Section 11, 1987 Constitution.
2 Sec 2(a), Republic Act No. 11223 or “The Universal Health Care Act”.
3 Sec 2(b), Ibid.
4 https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/in-the-news/health-expenses-remain-a-big-burden-for-pinoys-despite-
uhc#:~:text=And%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Philippine,health%20spending%20recorded%20in%202020.
May 8, 2023
1:03 pm
7952


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN
ACT
PROVIDING
FOR
A
FREE
ANNUAL
MEDICAL
CHECK-UP
AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Free Annual Medical Check-Up
Act of 2023."
Section. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to support and promote the
right to health by enhancing programs which focus on preventive and curative medicine that
advance the health and well-being of Filipinos and prevent disease, disability, and death.
Pursuant thereto, Filipinos shall be entitled to an annual medical check-up that is free of charge
in any government hospital and institution.
Section. 3. Coverage. – All Filipino Citizens, by virtue of their membership in the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) mandated under Republic Act No. 11223,
or the “Universal Health Care Law”, shall be entitled to the applicable benefits under the
National Health Insurance Program.
Members shall be entitled to a free annual medical check-up, that shall include but not
limited to physical examination, chest x-ray, complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, fecalysis,
blood sugar and cholesterol tests. Laboratory and diagnostic tests shall be expanded, subject to
the availability of PhilHealth funds.
Section. 4. Schedule of Free Medical Check-Up. – To promote health, identify risks, and
ensure early diagnosis, PhilHealth shall establish a system that allows access to free annual
medical check-up and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded quality health care services that
they deserve.
Section. 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged
against PhilHealth funds.
Section. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). – PhilHealth shall be the lead
agency primarily responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Act. PhilHealth, in
coordination with Department of Health, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for
the proper implementation of this Act not later than ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
Section. 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.
7952


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
Section. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations,
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
7952