VILLAR WELCOMES PASSAGE OF BILL PROHIBITING
DETENTION OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS

Senate President Manny Villar expresses relief that finally the notorious practice of some hospitals or clinics of detaining patients who are unable to pay their bills will be penalized with the approval on third reading of House Bill (HB) No. 68.

According to Villar, Among the 164 measures that were passed during my senate presidency, this bill are among those that I really supported and pushed for. I believe that detaining patients against their will is a violation of their human rights. There should be a more humane way of treating patients who cannot fully pay their medical expenses yet.

Villar adds, The practice of detaining non-paying patients also result in more expensive hospital bills because there is unnecessary delay in their discharge. Paano naman nila mababayaran lalo ang kanilang utang sa ospital o clinic kung lalo pa itong nadadagdagan dahil sa ayaw silang palabasin. Kawawa rin naman sila talaga. Meron pang mga insidente na namatay na lang ang pasyente, hindi pa mailabas ng mga kamag-anak ang mga labi nito dahil sa hindi pa bayad, hindi naman na makatao yun.

HB 68 or an Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Non-Payment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses was approved on third reading on February 19, during the two day special session.

Villar filed a similar bill in the SenateSenate Bill (SB) 607 or An Act Prohibiting the Detention of Live or Dead Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Non-Payment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses.

Under the hospital detention bill: Patients who have fully or partially recovered and who already wish to leave the hospital or medical clinic but are financially incapable to settle, in part or in full, their hospitalization expensesshall be allowed to leave the hospital or medical clinicupon the execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid obligation.

The adopted version of the bill protects the liberties of financially incapable patients but also protects the rights of hospital owners and medical practitioners. It offers a good compromise and balance, with both parties adequately protected, adds Villar. During the two-day special session (February 19 and 20), the Senate approved on third reading 55 bills, bringing to 164 the number of measures passed from July 2006, considered as four times more than the average number of bills passed every year.