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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6194

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the responsibility of the government to improve the welfare of its people, especially those
who need it most. Senior citizens, because of their old age, are vulnerable to health risks and
illnesses. This is further compounded by their decreased capacity to earn sufficient income that
will cover their health and medical expenses and other living expenses.

Senior citizens have contributed to nation-building and continue to contribute, even in their old
age. Their participation in society should not be disregarded as they play an important role in its
development. As such, it is important that the State take necessary steps to address their
concerns and give them the proper care and attention.

This bill seeks to provide free hospitalization to senior citizens to alleviate them of one of the
biggest expenses that they might encounter in their lifetime. It recognizes the rights-of senior
citizens and accord full respect to them, particularly providing full support in the infiprovement
their health and well-being.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is most eames}


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

94
HOUSE BILL NO

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

“AN ACT PROVIDING FREE HOSPITALIZATION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES .”

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Free Hospitalization for Senior
Citizens”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic
social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people
from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment,
and rising standard of living and an improved quality of life. Further, Article Il, Section 10 and 11
of the Constitution provides that the State shall promote social justice in all phases of national
development and the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full
respect for human rights.

Article XIl!, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that 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 all the people at affordable cost. There shall be
priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children,

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms.

a) Senior citizen refer to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old;

b) Medical services refer to hospital services, professional services of physicians and other
health care professionals and diagnostics and laboratory tests that are necessary for the
diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury;


©) Dental services refer to oral examination, cleaning, permanent and temporary filling,
extractions and gum treatments, restoration, replacement or repositioning of teeth, or
alteration of the alveolar or periodontium process of the maxilla and the mandible that
are necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury;

SEC. 4. Section 4 (e) of Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior
Citizens Act of 2010” is hereby amended as follows:

“SEC.4 Privileges for the Senior Citizens. -
The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:
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(e) free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not limited to,
x-fays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, in all government facilities, subject to
the guidelines to be issued by the DOH in coordination with the PhilHealth;

HOSPITALIZATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, FOR ANY
ILLNESS THAT REQUIRES THEIR HOSPITALIZATION, SHALL BE COMPLETELY FREE AND
WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS OF ALLOWABLE CONFINEMENT FOR AS
LONG AS THERE IS A MEDICAL REASON TO REMAIN IN THE FACILITY AS ADVISED BY
THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, in excess
of the amount covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, shall be included in the
budget of the Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision or section of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, or issuances, or any part thereof which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,