Senate Oks anti-hospital detention bill

MANILA, Philippines — With a vote of 18-0-1, the Senate has passed a bill that would penalize health care facilities detaining patients over unpaid medical bills.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, principal author of Senate Bill No. 1511, the Enhanced Anti-Hospital Detention Act, said a patient, his medical records or remains must not be held hostage over unpaid bills.

Under the bill, hospital directors or officers who enforce such detention policies will face up to P1 million in fines and will be penalized with up to six years in prison.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson registered the lone abstention, explaining that he is a founder of a hospital in his hometown in Cavite.

Hontiveros clarified that the legislation does not cancel medical debts or grant hospitals blanket tax write-offs. It also does not mandate the government to automatically assume unpaid bills.

Financially incapable patients are still required to execute a promissory note secured by a mortgage, a contract of guarantee or a guarantee letter from agencies such as the departments of health or social welfare before they can be discharged.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, a co-author of the measure, condemned the practices of some hospitals, citing instances wherein mothers are forced to leave their newborns or families are denied the corpses of their loved ones.