Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2528

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARISSA “DEL MAR” P. MAGSINO-

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE SERVICE COVERAGE UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO.
11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT”,
TO INCLUDE DIAGNOSTIC, LABORATORY AND OTHER MEDICAL
EXAMINATION SERVICES WHICH OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWS) ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO FOR THE PURPOSE OF THEIR.
EMPLOYMENT ABROAD

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have got to be our nation’s modern-day heroes.
In search of greener pastures, OFWs leave their homes and families on the promise of a
better life and future. It has, in fact, become a normal sight to see in airports and seaports,
the great migration of Filipinos who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of packing
their lives in suitcases, kissing their loved ones goodbyes, and shedding tears of longing,
in order to earn a living.

Much of the stories we hear are the struggles they encounter when they assume
their respective employment duties in foreign lands. The stories often fail to mention the
burdens they have to carry in order to secure their employment contracts. These are the
stories that this humble representation has, in her quest to come to the aid of our modern-
day heroes, has heard, and now seeks to offer succor to.

Application processes entail financial which necessitate the selling of livelihood
and belongings and even taking out loans for. And this is exactly what this measure seeks
to provide relief from. This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known
as the “Universal Health Care Act”, so as to embrace even the diagnostic, laboratory, and


other medical examination services which Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are
required to undergo for the purpose of their employment abroad. These are expenses
which many applicants have to endure in order to secure their employment overseas; the
same costs which usually stand in the way of hopeful applicants who cannot raise the
funds in order to undergo the required services.

It is high time the State gives back to our OFWs who, undeniably, have contributed
so much to the growth and stability of our economy. It is their remittances which they
have toiled day and night to earn, that have helped fund many of our government projects.
It should thus be the State’s priority to ensure that it offers assistance to financial burdens
of OFWs whenever possible and appropriate.

In view of the forgoing, approval of this proposed measure is most earnestly

sought.

© (Dk thay! .

ISSA “DEL MAR” P. INO


Bene

ey aw

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2528

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE SERVICE COVERAGE UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO.
11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT”,
TO INCLUDE DIAGNOSTIC, LABORATORY AND OTHER MEDICAL
EXAMINATION SERVICES WHICH OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS.
(OFWS) ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO FOR THE PURPOSE OF THEIR
EMPLOYMENT ABROAD

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to affirm labor as a
primary economic force, it shall protect the rights and promote the welfare of Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs) by providing them with necessary aid and assistance in their
employment applications.

In ensuring that we repay our debt of gratitude to Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs) who are modern day heroes, and whose remittances fuel much of our economy,
the State shall endeavor to lighten the financial burden of their employment applications
through helpful government programs.

Sec. 2. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the “Universal
Health Care Act”, shall be hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 6. Service Coverage. -

(a)Every Filipino shall be granted immediate
eligibility and access to preventive, promotive,
curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care for
medical, dental, mental, and emergency health
services, delivered either as population-based or
individual-based health services: Provided, That
the goods and services to be included shall be


Ne

determined through a fair and transparent HTA
process;

(B) EVERY OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER
(OFW) WHO, BY REASON OF HIS/HER
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION, SHALL BE
REQUIRED TO UNDERGO DIAGNOSTIC,
LABORATORY AND OTHER MEDICAL
EXAMINATION SERVICES, FOR
EMPLOYMENT ABROAD, SHALL BE
GRANTED IMMEDIATE ELIGIBILITY AND
ACCESS THERETO: PROVIDED, THAT
THE SAID TESTS ARE DONE AND
UNDERGONE IN PHILHEALTH
ACCREDITED HOSPITALS, CENTERS,
FACILITIES AND/OR SIMILAR
ESTABLISHMENTS;

{(b)] (C) Within two (2) years from the effectivity
of this Act, PhilHealth shall implement a
comprehensive outpatient benefit, including
outpatient drug benefit and emergency medical
services in accordance with the recommendations
of the Health Technology Assessment Council
(HTAC) created under Section 34 hereof;

[(c)] (D) The DOH and the local government units
(LGUs) shall endeavor to provide a health care
delivery system that will afford every Filipino a
primary care provider that would act as the
navigator, coordinator, and initial and continuing
point of contact in the health care delivery system:
Provided, That except in emergency or serious
cases and when proximity is a concern, access to
higher levels of care shall be coordinated by the
primary care provider; and

[(@)] (E) Every Filipino shall register with a public
or private primary care provider of choice. The
DOH shall promulgate the guidelines on the
licensing of primary care providers and the
registration of every Filipino to a primary care
provider.

Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from the
approval of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance


Corporation (PhilHealth) in coordination with other implementing agencies, shall
formulate rules and guidelines as may be necessary for the proper implementation and
enforcement of this Act.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, resolutions,
orders, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,