Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7130

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the World Health Organization ("WHO"), there is a proven relationship
between oral and general health.’ For instance, diabetes mellitus is linked with the
development and progression of periodontitis. There is also a causal link between high sugar
consumption and diabetes, obesity and dental caries.

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 estimated that oral diseases affect 3.5
billion people worldwide, with untreated dental caries being among the most prevalent non-
communicable diseases.” In the Philippines, “the prevalence of dental caries on permanent
teeth has generally remained above 90% throughout the years. About 92.4% of Filipinos have
tooth decay (dental caries) and 78% have gum diseases (periodontal diseases)."* Thus, oral
disease continues to be a serious public health problem in the country.

To address this, the Department of Health ("DOH") formulated the Guidelines in the
Implementation of Oral Health Program for Public Health Services (AO 2007-0007). The said
Program aimed to reduce the prevalence rate of dental caries to 85% and periodontal disease
by 60% by the end of 2016.‘ The Program also provided “preventive, curative, and promotive
dental health care to Filipinos through a lifecycle approach, that is, “a continuum of quality
care by establishing a package of essential basic oral health care (“BOHC”) for every lifecycle
stage, starting from infancy to old age.">

As early as February 1995, the National Health Insurance Program ("NHIP") was
already established “to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable,
acceptable, available and accessible health care services for all citizens of the

(Oral health available at hutps://wwow ssho.int/health-topics/oral-health/#tab=tab_1 (ast accessed 19 September

2020).

2 a

. Dental Health Program available at hitps://sww.doh.gov.ph/dental-health-program (last accessed 19 September
2020).

od Ta.

. Ma.

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Philippines.”*Administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (“Philhealth’), the
NHIP serves “as the means for the healthy to help pay for the care of the sick and for those
who can afford medical care to subsidize those who cannot.” Later on, or in February 2019,
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care
Act, into law. This Act automatically enrolled all Filipino citizens in the NHIP and prescribed
complementary reforms in the health system. The Act also gave citizens “access to the full
continuum of health services they need, while protecting them from enduring financial
hardship as a result.”®

Unfortunately, these pieces of legislation are still unable to ensure quality, affordable,
accessible and available oral health care delivery to our Kababayans. In fact, one of the
strategies and action points of the Dental Health Program of the DOH is to ensure financial
access to essential public and personal oral health services by developing “an outpatient
benefit package for oral health under the NHIP of the government.” ° At present, however,
Philhealth “only covers certain dental procedures done in hospitals, while health maintenance
organizations (“HMOs”) usually require extra premiums to include dental services."!° For out-
patient care, dental services generally fall under “services of health care professionals” who
can be any dentist or other health care professional or practitioner duly licensed to practice
in the Philippines and accredited by Philhealth."*

Consequently, many Filipinos are still unable to afford regular, accessible and quality
dental health services. For instance, it is not uncommon in the Philippines to see individuals
with missing teeth or what we usually refer to as “bungal.” Meanwhile, the WHO has already
warned that the “loss of teeth without replacement with dentures implies severe loss of oral
functioning.” 2 This appears to be prevalent in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and
Latin America where a poor dentate status reflects insufficient dental care and limited access
to oral health services. In addition, WHO country reports indicate that there is “huge unmet
need for denture treatment and restorative dental care, particularly among older people."'>

Thus, to address this serious public health problem, the Philippines needs a law that
will expressly mandate that dental services, including oral checkup, consultation, oral

Agency's Mandate and Functions available at hitps://wxew-philhealth.gov.ph/about_us/mandare.himl#igsc.tab=0
(ast accessed 19 September 2020)
Agency's Mandate And Functions available at hups
(ast accessed 19 September 2020).
. UHC Actin the Philippines: a new dawn for health care, available at
https:/ /wnww.vho.:nt/ philippines /news /feature-stories /detail/uhc-act-in-the-philippines-
‘20Roa"20Duterte%2C%20President™*20of,2019%20at"%20Malaca”
%42C%20Manila (last accessed 19 September 2020)
* Dental Health Program available at hitps://wowww.cdoh gov.ph/dental-health-program (last accessed 19 September
2020),
Tan, Michael, Dental Gap, available at hitps://opinion. inquirer
2020).
" Section 3j)(2), Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7875 as amended Otherwise Known As the
National Health Insurance Act of 2013.
Petersen, P.E, et al, Global oral health of older people ~ Call for public health action, Comm
(2010) 27, (Supplement 2) 257-268, available at
hups://saiwvavho.int/oral_health/action/groups/oral health older people.pdua=1 (last accessed 19 September
2020).

wsw.philhealth.gox.ph/about_us/mandate.himitgsctah=0

yew-dawn-for-health-
Blang’20Palace

19/dental-gap (last accessed 19 September

ty Dental Health

8 7]

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prophylaxis, bonding, and/or dentures, are included in the categories of personal health
services granted to Philhealth members and dependents as medically necessary or

appropriate.

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

WWM J

HON. ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES
Representative
3 District, Quezon City

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 7730

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS

THE “NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT OF 1995,” AS AMENDED, TO
EXPRESSLY INCLUDE SPECIFIC DENTAL SERVICES IN THE CATEGORIES OF
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES GRANTED TO PHILHEALTH MEMBERS OR
DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Congress assembled

SECTION 1.
Act of 2020.”

SECTION 2.

Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Dental Health Services

Dental Services. - Section 10 of Republic Act No. 7875, as amended,

is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC.
Act and as mé

10. Benefit Package — Subject to the limitations specified in this
ay be determined by the Corporation, the following categories of

personal health services granted to the member or his dependent as medically

necessary or

appropriate shall include:

a) Inpatient hospital care:
1)

2)
3)

4)
5)
6)
7)
b) Outpatien
1)
2)

3)
4)

room and board;

services of health care professionals;

dental services, including oral checkup, consultation, oral
prophylaxis, bonding, and/or dentures;

diagnostic, laboratory, and other medical examination services;
use of surgical or medical equipment and facilities;

prescription drugs and biologicals, subject to the limitations
stated in Section 37 of this Act;

inpatient education packages;

it care:

services of health care professionals;

dental services, including oral checkup, consultation, oral
prophylaxis, bonding, and/or dentures;

diagnostic, laboratory, and other medical examinations services;
personal preventive services; and

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5) prescription drugs and biologicals, subject to the limitations
described in Section 37 of this Act;

c) Emergency and transfer services; and
d) Such other health care services that the Corporation and the DOH shall
determine to be appropriate and cost-effective.

These services and packages shall be reviewed annually to determine their
financial sustainability and relevance to health innovations, with the end in
view of quality assurance, increased benefits and reduced out-of-pocket
expenditure.”

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations and Standard Forms. - Within
sixty (60) days from the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for
the proper implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the appropriate
government office or agency in coordination with all the stakeholders and covered
establishments and institutions.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
tules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

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