HONTIVEROS VOWS MORE HEALTH AND GENDER BILLS DESPITE THREATS OF NO-EL AND CHACHA

Despite the challenges posed by charter change and the postponement of the 2019 elections, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros today pledged to push for the passage of more health and gender bills in the Third Regular Session of the 17th Congress.

"Even as we persist in opposing plans to amend the Constitution and postpone the 2019 elections, I will continue to file and push for the passage of laws on health and gender concerns," Hontiveros said.

"While we must continue to exercise vigilance over the brewing political crisis, we also must not let it distract us from ensuring the passage of measures that will benefit our people," Hontiveros added.

Strengthening the Anti-hospital Detention Law

Hontiveros, who is the Vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said that she will prioritize the filing of a bill to enhance Republic Act 9439 otherwise known as the Anti-Hospital Detention Law. She said that while the current law prohibits health facilities from detaining patients who have fully or partially recovered due to non-payment in full or in part of hospital bills, there is a need to strengthen its implementation as there are numerous documented violations of the said measure.

Universal healthcare

Hontiveros said that she will also push for the passage of the Universal Healthcare bill, one of the measures certified as priority by the Duterte administration.

"We need to remove barriers that hinder the country from making health care accessible to all," said Hontiveros, who filed Senate Bill 1714 otherwise known as "The Healthy Pinoy, Healthy 'Pinas Bill" which seeks to address barriers in health governance, health human resources, regulation, service delivery, and health information.

Philheath for PWDs

Meanwhile, Hontiveros' bill that seeks to provide mandatory PhilHealth coverage for persons with disabilities (PWDs) was passed on second reading by the Senate on Tuesday. She said that the country is one step closer in ensuring that PWDs will be given better access to long-term medical care.

Combatting sexism and discrimination

The opposition Senator, who is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Women, said that she will pursue the passage of more women and gender-related laws to combat the growing climate of sexism and misogyny in the country. She said that she will prioritize the passage of Senate Bill No.1558 otherwise known as the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Bill and the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Bill.

Hontiveros is credited with authoring and sponsoring the passage of the Strengthened Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, the Mental Health Act, the 120-days Expanded Maternity Leave bill, the Philippine HIV AIDS Policy Act of 2018 and The Health Nanay and Bulilit Law which aims to scale up nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life.