Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

228

HB. No.

Introduced by HONORABLE CINCHONA CRUZ-GONZALES
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 efforts 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 enrollment of all Filipinos as opposed to the current
scheme of enrollment in PhilHealth. It seeks to have a 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

HONORABLE CINCHONA ——

Representative, CIBAC Party List


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 228

Introduced by HON. CINCHONA CRUZ- GONZALES

‘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 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
compreshensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essntial goods, health
and other social available to every Filipino at affordable cost.

‘SEC. 3. Mandatory Universal Healthcare Coverage of Every Filipino.
entitled to mandatory universal healthcare coverage by their immediate and automatic inclusion to
Pr ine Health Insurance coverage and membership as provided for under Republic Act No. 7875
known as the “National Health Insurance Act of 1995;” Accordingly, all the 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
Appropriations 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 thyis
Act promulgate the necessary rules and regulations fotr the effective implementation of the provisions
of this Act.

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

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, decrees orders, rules and regulations or other issuance incon:
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)
national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,