MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has strengthened a Marcos-era law penalizing hospitals and clinics that require a deposit or advance payment before a patient in an emergency case is admitted.
The House approved Bill 5159, which imposes heavier penalties on erring medical institutions.
The committee on health chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelita Tan endorsed the bill, which is a consolidation of two measures authored by Reps. Jose Christopher Belmonte of Quezon City and Tomasito Villarin of party-list group Akbayan.
Bill 5159 would amend Batas Pambansa Bilang 702, which prohibits hospitals and clinics from requiring any deposit before a patient is admitted.
The law was enacted on April 5, 1984.
Recently, a Manila university hospital was accused of turning away a pregnant woman on labor because she and her husband had only a fraction of the amount the staff demanded as deposit.
They were told to go to another hospital. The woman lost her child.
Under Bill 5159, the doctor on duty or medical staff at a hospital or clinic where a patient is brought would determine whether it is an emergency or serious case that could lead to loss of life, disability or miscarriage, in the case of a pregnant woman.
They face six months to two years in prison or a fine of P100,000 to P300,000 (up from P20,000 to P100,000) if they decide to turn the patient away.
If the decision is based on hospital policy or upon instruction of management, the responsible hospital officer would face four years to six years in prison, or a fine of P500,000 to P1 million (up from P100,000 to P500,000) or both, in addition to damages the court may award a complainant.
The chairman, board members and other officers of the erring hospital would be jointly liable for damages.
Three violations would lead to the suspension or revocation by the Department of Health of the hospital’s license.