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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1847

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The barangay may be the smallest political unit in the country, but is
without a doubt the most significant in reaching out to the public and responding
to immediate parochial needs. Indeed, it brings government directly to the
people, serving as the primary planning and implementing arm of government in
terms of implementation of programs, projects, and activities in the community,
and as a forum for exchange of collective views, allowing the people to articulate
their concerns and sentiments, settle their differences and collectively participate
in improving the conditions of their community.

Lamentably, the delivery of basic health services which is a primordial
State concern has not been properly benefiting the barangay, especially the
barangay health workers. This is due mainly to budgetary constraints and
archaic policies and programs that do not address present dilemmas, emanating
perhaps from lack of local incentives.

The proposed measure seeks to grant compulsory coverage of barangay
health workers and their dependents to the National Health Insurance Program,
allowing them to receive and avail of an adequate package of personal health
services, such as, in-patient hospital care, out-patient care, emergency and
transfer services, and also other supplementary health benefits.

Thus, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Abeta a
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative, 1* District

City of Marikina


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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1847

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
MANDATING THE COMPULSORY COVERAGE OF BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS TO THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT. NO. 7883 AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7883 is hereby amended
which shall read as follows:

“g) PHILHEALTH Compulsory Coverage — All barangay health workers
and their dependents shall be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program
for them to receive and avail of an adequate package of personal health services
that must include in-patient hospital care, out-patient care, emergency and
transfer services, and also other supplementary health benefits as may be
defined by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) and the local
government unit (LGU) where they render services.

The needed premium contributions and thereafter, the standard monthly
contributions, shall be borne equally by the national government and the LGU
concerned, such that upon the passage of this Act, the barangay health workers
and their dependents are automatically entitled to the full enjoyment and
availment of essential health services as contained in the National Health
Insurance Act (R.A. 7875). Such cost-sharing scheme may be revised which may
be made contingent on the on the LGU's financial capability to shoulder the
overall cost of this program: Provided that national government's share will not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the needed cost.

The barangay health workers shall not be required to pay monthly
contributions and other fees or charges for them to be entitled with the program's
benefits.”

SEC. 2. Oversight Provision. — Congress shall conduct a regular review
of this program which shall primarily evaluate its implementation with regard to its
impact and accomplishments. Such review shall be jointly undertaken by the
committees in the Senate and House of Representatives which have legislative
jurisdiction over this program.

SEC. 3. Government Guarantee. — The Government of the Republic of
the Philippines guarantees the financial viability of this program.


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H.B,.NO. 1847

SEC. 4, Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Health, Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation and Department of Interior & Local Government, in
coordination with the Governors, Vice-Governors and Mayors Leagues of the
Philippines shall formulate within one hundred (100) days the necessary rules
and regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid, the remainder or any of this provision hereof not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, ‘executive orders,
presidential issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,