EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No. 5464 _

Introduced by Representative JANETTE LORETO-GARIN, MD, MBA-H

AN ACT ESTABLISHING SPECIALTY HEALTH CARE UNITS (SHCUs) ATTACHED
TO EXISTING REGIONAL HOSPITALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Department of Health’s classification of hospitals according to scope of services is
divided into two: i.) General, and ii.) Specialty.

General Hospitals provide services for all kinds of illnesses, diseases, injuries, or
deformities. Specialty Hospitals, on the other hand, focuses on a particular disease or
Condition in one type of patient.

At present, these specialty hospitals are operationally but geographically situated in Metro
Manila. This may be beneficial to metro manila residents, but the hard reality continues
to hit — that majority of Filipinos lack access to easily available health care. Because of
this, people from other regions need to spend just to attend on their medical needs. We
cannot deny the fact that health services remain grossly inequitable.

Our Constitution is clear: “[t]he State shall protect and promote the right to health of the
people and instil health consciousness among them” The government is mandated to
guarantee people’s rights to health care and equitable access to health services.

At present, to have a very limited budget while seeking treatment and check-ups in these
manila-based hospitals puts not just the patient, but also their immediate family
members, in a very challenging position. Their accrued disbursement for transportation
and accommodation, as well as unprecedented expenses, makes the inelastic and tight
finances too complex to stretch.


This proposed measure aims to bridge the existing huge disparity of accessibility to
specific health care services by establishing specialty health care units in the regional
hospitals of DOH. These health care units will provide the patients and their families a
cost-efficient spending for their medication.

The immediate passage of this bill is a fulfilment of our promise to every Juan and Maria,
to have the same medical care and health services they deserve.

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

JANETTE wie MD, MBA-H


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No. __ 6464

Introduced by Representative JANETTE LORETO-GARIN, MD, MBA-H

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING SPECIALTY HEALTH CARE UNITS (SHCUs) ATTACHED TO
EXISTING REGIONAL HOSPITALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Specialty Health
Care Units Act of 2020”

Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. —It is the policy of the State to:

i. protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health

consciousness among them; and,

ii. provide and deliver accessible health services for the people.

Sec. 3. Specialty Health Care Units (SHCUs)— The DOH shall establish Specialty
Health Care Units within DOH-regional hospitals.

The creation of SHCUs shall increase the availability and accessibility of
specialty centers nationwide to ensure equitable health care for all and shall address
the medical needs of patients with diseases of a particular organ or group of organs,
and the health care need by a particular group, such as children, women, or the
elderly.

Sec. 4. General Guidelines on the Establishment of SHCUs.

i. Accessibility - The Department of Health (DOH), through its existing

regional hospitals, and in consultation with the Heads of DOH-Specialty
Hospitals, shall develop standards for the creation of SHCUs to increase
the accessibility of specialty health care services to patients.


Staffing Summary - The Civil Service Commission (CSC) and its
respective regional offices, in coordination with DOH-existing regional
hospitals, shall formulate a standardized staffing pattern for the SHCUs.
It shall be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM).

Availment of specialty health care services — the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall develop an appropriate case rate
package for specialty health care units to achieve the financial stability
of SHCUs.

Regulatory and licensing requirements — the Health Facilities and
Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) shall develop the requirements
necessary for the operation of SHCUs.

Other applicable guidelines - The DOH shall convene with concerned
stakeholders in determining such other guidelines applicable in order to
implement the intent of this Act.

Sec. 5. Specialty Health Care Units Development Plan (SHCUDP). The DOH shall
formulate a ten (10) year — Specialty Health Care Units Development Plan that will
identify the establishment of SHCUs attached to existing DOH-regional hospitals.

Infrastructure — The DOH shall include in the SHCUDP the necessary
infrastructure, basic facilities and equipment needed for the
establishment of SHCUs; and,

Personnel - The DOH, in coordination with CSC, shall include in the
SHCUDP the human resources needed to run and manage the
SHCUs.

Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Health shall include in the
Department's program the establishment and operationalization of SHCUs, the funding
of which shall be included in the budget of DOH under the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).

Sec. 7. Implementation. - The DOH, in consultation and coordination with the
Chiefs of Hospital of the regional hospitals, together with CSC and other concerned
agencies, shall formulate, identify, and, promulgate the implementing guidelines, rules

and regulations, necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,