iS

Republic of the Philippines fy” RECEIVED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8160

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez Maceda,
Eric M. Martinez, Federico II "Ricky" S. Sandoval, Dale "Along" R. Malapitan, and Emi
Calixto-Rubiano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation respectfully
refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the past and present (Rep.
Silverio’s HB 7991 Rep. Villarica’s HB 7998) Congress.

It is the declared policy of the State that it values the dignity of every human person and
guarantees full respect for human rights. The State shall likewise protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

Republic Act No. 9439, otherwise known as “An Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in
Hospitals and Medical Clinics on the Ground of Nonpayment of Hospital bills or Medical Expenses”
was enacted in order to provide reprieve to impoverished patients who are unable to settle
medical expenses and to prevent the illegal detention of patients in hospitals, Eleven years after
its enactment, indigent patients are still burdened with the problem of settling their hospital bill
due to the penalty charges that they have incurred on unpaid medical expenses.

In order to provide relief and support to indigent patients, this measure seeks to prohibit the
imposition of interest and/or penalty charges on unpaid hospital bills and medical expenses of
patients whose income is of minimum wage or less, for one year from the patient’s discharge.
‘This one year allowance is granted to them in hopes that it may alleviate the financial burden of
the patient and that they can focus more on their physical and emotional recovery.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

ERIC MARTINEZ EMI CALIXTO-RUBIANO.

et 0-6

ERIC OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Bit No, 8160

——_—_$_

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Eric
M. Martinez, Federico II "Ricky" S. Sandoval, Dale "Along" R. Malapitan, Eric Olivarez, and
Emi Calixto-Rubiano

—

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

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the
right to health of the people.

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

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

SEC. 3. Penalties. - Any officer or employee of the hospital or medical clinic responsible for
billing who violates the provisions of this Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty
Thousand Pesos (PhP20,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP50,000.00), or
imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and
imprisonment, at the discretion of the proper court

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health, in consultation
with The Department of Labor and Employment, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
to carry out the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity

SEC. 5. 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.

SEC. 6, Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,