Republic of the PI
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES .
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No. 4340

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY COVERAGE OF ALL PUBLIC UTILITY
DRIVERS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (NHIP)
UNDER THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION
(PHILHEALTH)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State's policy to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development available for all Filipinos and the provision of affordable
medical care to the underprivileged was implemented with the enactment of
Republic Act No. 7875, otherwise known as the National Health insurance Act of
1995. The program covers a sustainable and progressive social health
insurance and affordable quality health care services readily accessible to all
Fi ios. The Act provides a system wherein the poor can avail of health
services through their membership in the National Health Insurance Program
(NHIP). At the core of this program is the creation of the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) in placa of MEDICARE.

As the country’s premier state-run health insurer, PHILHEALTH sets the
standards, rules and regulations necessary to ensure quality of care, appropriate
utilization of services, fund viability, member satisfaction, and over-all
accomplishment of the program objectives set forth under R.A. No. 7875. Said
law specifically provides that accessibility to these health care services are
accorded to all Filipinos with priority to the underprivileged, sick, efderty,
disabled, women and children.


In furtherance of the State policy which pushed for the enactment of RA.
7875, this proposed bill seeks to provide mandatory health insurance to all public

Utility drivers all over the country by requiring operators to provide PHILHEALTH
coverage for their drivers.

Being on the road for more than 12 hours everyday and driving even way
Past midnight, there is an urgent need to provide a mandatory heaith insurance
Package for our thousands of public utility drivers who deliver millions of our
commuters to their point of destination

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestiy
sought,

DIOSDADO MAC; GAL ARROYO GL MACAPAGAL ARROYO

Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES .
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4340

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY COVERAGE OF ALL PUBLIC UTILITY
DRIVERS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (NHIP)
UNDER THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION
(PHILHEALTH)

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

SECTION 14. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “National Health
Insurance Coverage for Public Utility Drivers Act of 2011."

SECTION 2. Dectaration of Policy. — It is policy of the State to 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. Priority for the needs of the underprivileged
sick, elderly, disabled, women. and children shall be recognized. Likewise, it
shall be the policy of the State to provide free medical care to paupers.

As such, the State shall provide for the mandatory coverage of all public
utility drivers in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) under the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHeatth).

SECTION 3. Coverage. - All public utility drivers shall be mandatorily
covered by the Nationa! Health Insurance Program (NHIP) under the Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) regardless of the remuneration they


receive from their operators: Provided, That all drivers currently eligible for
benefits under the Social Security System (SSS) shall automatically be made
members of the NHIP.

SECTION 4. Enrollment of Public Utility Drivers, ~ Ail public utility drivers
shall enroll in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) being implemented
by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in order for them to
be placed under coverage that entitles them to avail of the benefits and the
financial assistance provided for by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHeaith): Provided, That the beneficiaries under this Act shall be issued
appropriate documentation specifying eligibility to benefits and indicating how
benefit was obtained or is being maintained

SECTION 5. Contributions. - The public utility operators are hereby
mandated to pay equivalent to the amount of the monthly contributions paid for
by the employer for persons to be enrolled in the National Health Insurance
Program (NHIP) being implemented by the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth): Provided, That the remaining amount of monthly
contributions shall be shouldered by the driver consistent with existing policies
and guidelines set forth by PhilHealth.

SECTION 6. Penaities for Violation. - Failure of the operator to remit to
PhilHealth the corresponding contribution shall not be a ground for depriving the
beneficiaries under this law. Such failure shall, however, subject the erring or
negligent operator to the penalties provided by law, without prejudice to the right
of PhilHeatth to collect full reimbursement for honoring a properly filed claim.

SECTION 7. implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within thirty
(30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board of Directors of the Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall convene to formulate the rules and
regulations for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall
be held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect..

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are deemed inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shalt take effect fifteen (15}
days following its full and complete publication in an Official Gazette or in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,