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Republic of the Philippines — We;
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ReCeiveD

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 5341

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill represents a giant step towards a truly universal healthcare
coverage for the working class. Should this measure be enacted into law,
Philhealth coverage would no longer be subject to vicissitudes in political
administration, financial capability of local government units, and other
factors. It would also unburden LGUs of having to part with very scarce
resources in order to pay for Philhealth premiums of indigents and other
ns residing in their areas of responsibility.

It has been truly said that more than education, health services is a
paramount need of our people. This cradle-to-the grave basic social
service is desperately needed by our constituents. Senior citizens, the
disabled and the indigents, many of whom are no longer of school age,
are in continuous need of safety nets in the realm of vital health services
from the government.

In view of these pressing considerations, the early approval of this
bill is earnestly requested.

LUCYAORRES-G: EZ
Representative
Fourth District of Leyte


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

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 5842

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING MEMBERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (PHILHEALTH)
THROUGH THEIR INCLUSION IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL
APPROPRIATIONS ACT

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

SECTION 1. Members’ Premium Contributions to Philhealth. —
Premium contributions to the National Health Insurance Program
(Philhealth) of all members, including those in the formal and informal
sector (self-employed) and indigents, shall be fully subsidized by the

national government.

SEC. 2. Employers Counterpart Contributions to Philhealth. ~ \n
the private sector, employers shall continue paying the same monthly

counterpart contributions to Philhealth as provided by law.

For the national government, it shall be mandatory for all
government offices, agencies and instrumentalities to include the
payment of their counterpart premium contributions in their respective
annual appropriations. For local government units (LGUs), however, the

amount corresponding to the total employer counterpart premium


payments of all LGUs nationwide shall be included in the appropriations
for the Department of Health under the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within thirty (30)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH) in
coordination with the Philippine Health insurance Corporation
(Philhealth) shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for its

implementation.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. — The pertinent provisions of Republic
Act No. 7875, otherwise known as the National Health Insurance Act of
1995, Republic Act 9241, R.A. No. 10606, otherwise known as the
National Health Insurance Act of 2013, and other laws, decrees, rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication cither in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of

general circulation.

Appréyed, i