FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
, .. 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
58 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine 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. The enactment of Republic Act no. 7875, otherwise 
known as the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 provides for a system wherein the 
poor can avail of health services through their membership in the National Health 
Insurance Program and the creation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(PhilHealth). 
Unfortunately, the quality of health care has not significantly improved all these 
past years as the costs continue to soar making appropriate care beyond the reach of 
ordinary people. It is also undeniable that the Filipino masses, especially those who live 
in the rural areas and, more particularly, those in isolated communities and far-flung 
areas, receive far less and lower quality health care services. Many continue to die 
without availing of medical services and even without seeing a doctor. 
This bill proposes that every Filipino citizen be entitled to mandatory universal 
healthcare coverage by their immediate and automatic inclusion to Philippine Health 
Insurance coverage and membership, and that the contribution of indigent members be 
funded by the National Government which shall be included annually in the General 
Appropriations Act, without prejudice to other sources of contribution. 
In view of the foregoing, urgent approval of the bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
58 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FILIPINO IS GRANTED WITH BASIC HEAL THCARE 
SERVICES, PROVIDING FOR THE PURPOSE A MANDATORY UNIVERSAL 
HEAL THCARE COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Mandatory Universal 
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Healthcare Coverage of Every Filipino Act." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Section 15, Article II of the 1987 
5 
Constitution the State hereby declares the policy of protecting and promoting the right to 
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health of the people and instilling health consciousness among them. Towards this end, 
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the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
8 
development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social 
9 
services available to every Filipino at affordable cost. 
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SEC. 3. Mandatory Universal Healthcare Coverage of Every Filipino. - Every 
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Filipino citizen shall be entitled to mandatory universal healthcare coverage by their 
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immediate and automatic inclusion to Philippine Health Insurance coverage and 
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membership as provided for under Republic Act No. 7875, as amended, otherwise 
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known as the "National Health Insurance Act of 1995". Accordingly, all the benefits 
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under R.A. No. 7875 as amended shall also be made applicable and available to every 
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Filipino citizen. Provided, That contribution of indigent members shall be funded by the 
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National Govemment through the General Appropriations Act, without prejudice to other 
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sources of contribution. 
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SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health, in 
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Coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall, within sixty 


1 
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
2 
for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the professions not affected thereby shall continue to be in 
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full force and effect. 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause - All laws, including Republic Act No. 7875 as 
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amended, decrees orders, rules and regulations or other issuance inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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