Republic of the P
HOUSE OF REPRES!
Quezon City

pines
TATIVES

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

930

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Czarina D. Umali.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill seeks to provide subsidy to private hospitals and medical clinies which
admit for confinement and treatment of indigent patients under emergency cases, and
appropriating funds therefore.

The Constitution in Section 15, Article I on the Declaration of Principles and
State Policies recognizes the importance of health by stating the “The State shall protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among

them’

We always hear of cases of indigents, in emergency situations, being tumed away
by hospitals and medical clinics for the simple reason that they cannot afford the medical
fees. Many die as they are being transferred to government hospitals. On one hand, the
State must necessarily recognize the right of medical practitioners, nurses and hospitals,
to earn their livelihood and upkeep. Private hospitals cannot be blamed for exacting
needs for admission. The State must nevertheless endeavor to abide by the constitutional
mandate to provide free medical care to paupers or indigents. They are usually not
financially prepared for hospitalization in case of emergency or serious illness.

Taking into consideration, therefore, a give and take situation that would balance
the interest of the poor and the medical institutions, the approval of this Bill is urgently
requested.

Ad ~ mike
Hon. D. UMALI
Representative
3" District, Nueva Ecija



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

930

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Czarina D. Umali

AN ACT
PROVIDING SUBSIDY TO PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WHICH
ADMIT FOR CONFINEMENT AND TREATMENT INDIGENT PATIENTS
UNDER EMERGENCY CASES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SEC. 1. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding hospital expenses
of indigent patients admitted and confined in private hospitals and clinics under
emergency cases shall be subsidized by the government.

For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) “Indigent patient” shall refer to: (1) one with no visible income; or (2) one
who has no means of support or livelihood; or (3) one with income or means
of livelihood but insufficient for his subsistence and that of his family; or (4)
one who has no third party or relative to assist him in his medical needs; or
(5) a breadwinner whose illness forces him/her to stop temporarily or
permanently from working to go on leave without pay; or (6) one with a total
monthly income of not more than One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos
(P1,500.00); and

(b) “Emergency” is to suffer from physical injury or serious illness which
requires immediate medical attention, and failure to render treatment of
which would result to his death or physical incapacity.

SEC. 2. Any person who shall avail of the financial assistance granted under this
Act shall apply for an indigent identification card with the Department of Social Welfare
and Development upon submission of proof of indigency as provided under Section 1
hereof


SEC. 3. The hospital concerned shall transmit monthly billings to the Department
of Health of the total emergency admission fee extended to emergency patients under this
Act which shall include the relevant information regarding the patient and the facilities
extended.

SEC. 4. The Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of
Social Welfare and Development shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 5. The sum necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged to
the appropriation of the Department of Health under the General Appropriations Act.
Thereafter, such sum may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.