CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES |
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS i 29 JUL 2013

First Regular Session \ 3.0) ry
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ; ,

House Bill No. 49393

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As of 2006, statistics shows that over 27.2 million Filipinos are below
poverty line and who are subsisting on less than 41 pesos per day. It is also the
poorest Filipinos that have infant mortality rate of 42 per 1,000 births, while the
higher income groups are at 19 per 1,000 births. The same trend can be observed
in maternal mortality rates. The lowest income groups are also 1.4 times more
likely to be positive for tuberculosis based on chest x-ray examination compared
to the highest income groups.

Despite the government's effort to bring health care closer to Filipinos by
dispersing health workers and services especially in remote areas, the disparities
in health outcomes still persist. Health inequity remains a foremost health issue in
the Philippines, and as such, a change in health care system has become
imperative to achieve effective and universal health care.

This measure provides for automatic enrolment of all Filipinos as opposed
to the current scheme of enrolment in PhilHealth. It seeks to have mandatory
universal health coverage by immediate and automatic enrollment of all Filipinos
which shall be funded by the national government through the inclusion of the
required contribution in the General Appropriations Act annually.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

GLORIA/MACAPAGAL ARROYO DIOSDADO'MAGAPAGAL ARROYO
Second/Pistrict, Pampanga Second District, Camarines Sur


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. TSBy

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FILIPINO IS GRANTED WITH BASIC HEALTHCARE
SERVICES, PROVIDING FOR THE PURPOSE A MANDATORY UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Mandatory Universal
Healthcare Coverage of Every Filipino Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Section 15, Article Il of the 1987
Constitution the State hereby declares the policy of protecting and promoting the right
to health of the people and instilling health consciousness among them. Towards this
end, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social
services available to every Filipino at affordable cost.

SEC. 3. Mandatory Universal Healthcare Coverage for Every Filipino. - Every Filipino
citizen shall be entitled to mandatory universal healthcare coverage by their immediate
and automatic inclusion to Philippine Healthcare Insurance coverage and membership
as provided for under Republic Act No. 7875 otherwise known as the “National Health
Insurance Act of 1995”; Accordingly, all benefits under Republic Act No. 7875 shall also
be made applicable and available to every Filipino citizen. Provided, That such universal
coverage shall be funded by the National Government through premium payments to
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, which shall be included annually in the
General Appropriation Act, without prejudice to other sources of contribution.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health, in
coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), shall within sixty
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC.5. Separability Clause. - \f any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the professions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.


SEC.6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other
issuance inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,