NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No, 144
i?cunt?
*22 JUL-7 P3:17
RECEIVED Bv;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE HEMODIALYSIS, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, AND OTHER 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROVED DIALYSIS PROCEDURES TO ALL SENIOR 
CITIZENS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an important contributor to global mortality and 
morbidity1. In 2017, CKD resulted in 1.2 million deaths worldwide2. With the natural aging 
of the kidneys, CKD becomes more common with Increasing age. Conditions prevalent in 
senior citizens, such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes, also damage 
the kidneys3.
CKD is largely preventable and treatable through dialysis procedures such as 
hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis4. However, the cost of medical treatment for kidney 
diseases in the country remains highly expensive. The Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation (Philhealth) only subsidizes 90 out of the 144 dialysis sessions needed in a 
year of treatment5. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the physical and financial 
vulnerabilities of our senior citizens. Not only are they at a high risk of contracting the 
virus due to their pre-existing medical conditions, but also many senior citizens only rely 
on their social pension- a measly amount of P 500 they receive monthly. Finding other 
means of Income or employment would be difficult after the age of 606. With a case rate 
of P 2,500 per session of dialysis, we cannot expect that our senior citizens needing this 
life saving treatment will be capable of paying the remaining 54 sessions amounting to P
■^Bikbov, Boris et al. Global, regional, and national burden ofclironic kidney disease, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden 
ofDisease Study 2017. The Lancet, Volume 35, Issue 10225,709-733.
2Ibid.
3https://www. worIdkidneyday.org/facts/chronic-kidney-disease/
4201 8 United States Renal Data System Data Report Volume 2.
5Philhealth Circular 22-2015
6Hom, David, Charles Knox-Vydraanov, and Aura Sevilla The Feasibility of a Universal Social Pension in the Philippines". Quezon City: 
Coalition ofServices for the Elderly, and HelpAge International, 2017


135,000.
Consistent with Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution which seeks to 
endeavor to make essential goods and services available and affordable, especially for 
among others, the elderly, this bill seeks to provide free hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, 
and other Department of Health (DOH) approved dialysis procedures to senior citizens. 
To honor the efforts and contribution to society of our lolos and lolas, we must aid and 
safeguard them In their vulnerable state.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill Is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS 
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
gj>euaie
oftitc
72 JUL-7 P3:17
SENATE
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE HEMODIALYSIS, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, AND OTHER 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROVED DIALYSIS PROCEDURES TO ALL SENIOR 
CITIZENS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembied:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Tide. -This Act shall be known as the "Free Dialysis for Senior
2 
Citizens Act of 2022."
3 
Sec. 2. Free Diaiysis for AH Senior Citizens. - The cost of all the needed
4 
hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and other Department of Health ('DOH") approved
5 
dialysis procedure shall be fully reimbursed by the Philippines Health Insurance
6 
Corporation (PHIC), provided such treatment is availed of at PHIC accredited hospitals or
7 
free-standing dialysis centers. Provided further, that only those procedures that use the
8 
dialysis solutions Included in the latest edition of the Philippine National Drug Formulary
9 
("PNDF") shall be reimbursed by the Philhealth. Provided finally, that only laboratory
10 
procedures and supplies considered necessary shall be covered by the Philhealth.
11 
Philhealth shall, as soon as possible, reimburse all official receipts for drugs, supplies, and
12 
laboratory procedures dated thirty (30) days prior to the date of the claimed session.
13 
Sec. 3. Appropriations. -The amount needed for the implementation of this Act
14 
shall be charged against the appropriations of the DOH and the PHIC in the current and
15 
subsequent General Appropriations Act and their own respective funds. Thereafter, the
16 
amount needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be Included In the
17 
budget of the concerned departments In the annual General Appropriations.
18 
Sec. 4. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within thirty (30) days from the
19 
approval of this Act, the DOH, the PHIC, and the National Commission on Senior Citizens
20 
(NCSC), in coordination with other implementing agencies, shall formulate rules and
21 
guidelines as may be necessary for the proper implementation and enforcement of this
22 
Act.
23 
Sec. 5. Separabiiity Cause. - If any provision of this Act or the application thereof
1


1 
to any person or circumstance Is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions
2 
or sections of this Act and the application of such provision or section to other persons
3 
or circumstances, not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
4 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive
5 
orders, letters of Instruction, administrative orders, rules or regulations contrary to or
6 
Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended
7 
accordingly.
8 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
9 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,