Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._3'795,

Introduced by Representatives Mariano Michael M. Velarde Jr. and William
Irwin Tieng (BUHAY Party List)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Il, Section IS of the Constitution provides that the State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them. In pursuit of this policy, it is the objective of the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (Phil Health) to continuously endeavor to improve its benefit package to
meet the needs of its members. It is in this light that this bill seeks to provide
coverage for the diagnostic services for breast and cervical cancer.

Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancer deaths in Filipino
women. The Philippines is ranked first in breast cancer incidence in Asia and has a
higher prevalence rate than those in several Western countries, including Spain,
Italy, and most Eastern European countries. Based on the most recent data, relative
survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer are: 88 percent at 5 years
after diagnosis, 80 percent after 10 years, 71 percent after 15 years and 63 percent
after 20 years. From 1990 to 2002, death rates have decreased. The decline has
been attributed to both improvements in breast cancer treatment and early
detection."

Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, is the second leading cause of
death among Filipino women. According to the 2005 Philippine Cancer Facts and
Estimates, 7,277 new cases and 3,807 deaths due to cervical cancer were estimated
to have occurred. This meant that there were approximately 10 Filipino women dying
each day due to cervical cancer. This is mainly due to late detection and lack of
awareness of the disease among Filipino women.?

Based on the above data, it is safe to deduce that there is a direct correlation
between the time of detection and the odds for survival of women afflicted with these
killer diseases. Thus, it is but urgent to include the periodic diagnostic services for
breast cancer and cervical cancer in the benefit package under the PhilHealth
Program. The intent of this measure rests on the premise that preventive and
promotive health services are essential for reducing the need and spending for

* Breast Cancer Fact Sheet. Information Retrieved from: http://www.¢sk.com.ph/breastcancer.htm! Retrieved
‘on 09 February 2009
* Information retrieved from: http://www.dole gov.ph/nocle/197R2. Retrieved on 09 February 2009


personal health services. In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this
eamestly sought.

Hon. Mariano Michael M. Velarde Jr.

illiam Irwit eng


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._3'795

Introduced by Representatives Mariano Michaei M. Velarde Jr. and William
Irwin Tieng (BUHAY Party List)

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION TO.
PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES FOR BREAST AND
CERVICAL CANCER, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Breast and Cervical
Cancer Protection Act of 2010."

SEC, 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to
everyone at an affordable cost. Priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick,
elderly, disabled, women and children, shall be recognized.

SEC. 3. Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Coverage. - The National Health
Insurance Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Philhealth’) is hereby directed to
include mandatory periodic diagnostic services for breast cancer and cervical cancer
in its benefit package. The expenses for the mandatory diagnostic services shall be
covered by Philhealth. The diagnostic services shall include, but not be limited to,
Clinical Breast Cancer (CBE) and Mammogram Examination for breast cancer: and
Pap Smear Testing for cervical cancer, whichever is applicable as determined by the
physician.

SEC. 4. Periodic Exam. - The mandatory diagnostic examination shall be done
once a year, or as often as may be necessary, as determined by the Department of
Health (DOH).

SEC. 5. Funding. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act shall be based on the evaluated and adjusted cost-sharing schedule and cost
containment feature of the PhilHealth, as it may determine on the basis of applicable
actuarial studies.


SEC. 6. Implementing Rules. - The Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth
shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective enforcement of
the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - \f any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of this law or the provision hereof not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 8. 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.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.