Republic of the Philippines 2.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Roa

Quezon City \ eli

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House sino. 4577 __

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the
past and present Congress.

It is the declared policy of the State that it values the dignity of every human
person and guarantees full respect for human rights. The State shall likewise
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.

Republic Act No. 9439, otherwise known as “An Act Prohibiting the Detention of
Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on the Ground of Nonpayment of Hospital
bills or Medical Expenses” was enacted in order to provide reprieve to
impoverished patients who are unable to settle medical expenses and to prevent
the illegal detention of patients in hospitals. Eleven years after its enactment,
indigent patients are still burdened with the problem of settling their hospital bill
due to the penalty charges that they have incurred on unpaid medical expenses.

In order to provide relief and support to indigent patients, this measure seeks to
prohibit the imposition of interest and/or penalty charges on unpaid hospital bills
and medical expenses of patients whose income is of minimum wage or less, for
one year from the patient’s discharge. This one year allowance is granted to them
in hopes that it may alleviate the financial burden of the patient and that they can
focus more on their physical and emotional recovery.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

JOHN MAR) IL SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4677
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION OF INTEREST AND/OR PENALTY
CHARGES ON UNPAID HOSPITAL BILLS AND MEDICAL EXPENSES OF
PATIENTS WHO EARN AN INCOME OF THE MINIMUM WAGE OR LESS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people.

SEC. 2. Prohibition on Interest and/or Penalty Charges on Unpaid Hospital
Bills or Medical Expenses. - It shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic
to charge interest or impose other penalties on unpaid hospital bills and medical
expenses of patients who earn minimum wage or less, for one year from the date

of the discharge.

This prohibition shall likewise apply to the unpaid hospital bills and medical
expenses of minor patients whose parents or legal guardians earn minimum wage
or less.

SEC. 3. Penalties. - Any officer or employee of the hospital or medical clinic
responsible for billing who violates the provisions of this Act shall be punished by a
fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (PhP 20,000.00) but not more than
Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than one (1)
month but not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment, at

the discretion of the proper court.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health, in
consultation with The Department of Labor and Employment, shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act within ninety

(90) days from its effectivity.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,