FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
( 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides 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 all the people at affordable cost. 
As we embark in our journey to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, the 
health sector should be one of the prioritized sectors by the State today. However, what is 
looming is a slow response to the health sector, as total health expenditure only accounted for 
9.4 percent of the counhy's total expenditure in 2005. The share of health expenditure to GDP in 
2005 was lower at 3.3 percent than the previous year's 3.4 percent. Overall, it is still below the 5 
percent standard set by the World Health Organization for developing countries like the 
Philippines. Meanwhile, the out- of-pocket payments are visualized to be lower than that of 
social insurance as to give citizens appropriate health care support. Unfortunately, the share of 
out-of-pocket payments has increased to 49%, while that of social insurance payments is a low 
11%. 
Although the Republic Act 7875, otherwise known as the "National Health lnsuvance Act 
of 1995," mandates that an affordable and accessible health care coverage should be made 
available to all citizens, it has been more than a decade and not all citizens have become 
beneficiaries. The bill seeks to address this by ensuring that all the benefits under Republic Act 
7875 are made available to every Filipino citizen. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. - 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
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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 if enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 
"Mandato y Universal Healthcare Coverage of Evey Filipino Act." 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Section 15, Article I1 
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. 
Mandato y Universal Healthcare Coverage of E v e y  
Filipino. - Every Filipino citizen shall be entitIed to mandatory universal 
healthcare coverage by their immediate and automatic inclusion to 
Philippine Health Insurance coverage and membership as provided 
for under Republic Act No. 7875, as amended, otherwise known as the 
"National Health Insurance Act of 1995". Accordingly, all the benefits 
under R.A.No. 7875 as amended shall also be made applicable and 
available to every Filipino citizen. Provided, That contribution of indigent 


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members shall be funded by the National Government through 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 
this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for 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 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, including Republic Act No. 
7875 as amended, 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) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,