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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7913

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE

AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A global pandemic in 2020 all the more puts the spotlight on the importance of a
comprehensive and quality healthcare system. For many Filipinos, however, access
to healthcare services continues to be a challenge.

Although the Congress passed Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise known as the
Universal Health Care Act on February 20, 2019, certain provisions—specifically
Sections 9 and 34—have to be updated to ensure that more Filipinos will have
access to the full continuum of health services they need and be protected from
financial hardship as a result of seeking treatment or hospitalization.

By enabling PhilHealth to adjust the packages subject to the review, assessment,

and recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council, more Filipinos in
the marginalized sector are expected to benefit from these updated provisions.

MaREYN B. ALONTE


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. /93

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care
Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 9. Entitlement to Benefits. - Every member shall be granted
immediate eligibility for health benefit package under the Program:
Provided, That PhilHealth Identification Card shall not be required
in the availment of any health service: Provided, further, That no
co-payment shall be charged for services rendered in basic or ward
accommodation: Provided, furthermore, That co-payments and co-
insurance for amenities in public hospitals shall be regulated by the
DOH and PhilHealth: Provided, [finally] FURTHERMORE, That the
[eurrent] EXISTING PhilHealth [package] COVERAGE for
members shall not be reduced: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT
THE AMOUNTS UNDER EACH BENEFIT PACKAGE SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT COUNCIL PURSUANT
TO SECTION 34 OF THIS ACT.”


SEC. 2. Section 34 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Sec. 34. Health Technology Assessment (HTA). —

(a)xxx.

(b)x x x.

(©) The HTAC, to be composed of health experts, shall be created
within the DOH and supported by a Secretariat and a Technical
Unit for Policy, Planning and Evaluation with evidence
generation and validation capacity. The HTAC shall: (1)
facilitate provision of financing and/or coverage
recommendations on health technologies to be financed by
DOH and PhilHealth; (2) oversee and coordinate the HTA
process within DOH and PhilHealth; and (3) review and assess
existing DOH and PhilHealth benefit packages AND
RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE AND REASONABLE
AMOUNTS PER PACKAGE BASED ON PREVAILING
TECHNOLOGIES AND/OR TREATMENT. Within five (5)
years after the establishment and effective operation of the
HTAC, it shall transition into an independent entity separate from the
DOH, attached to DOST.

(d)xxx.

(e)xxx.”

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly

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

Approved,