Top Stories

Duterte signs law to strengthen ‘anti-hospital deposit’ policy

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill into law that will allow Filipinos’ receive treatment in hospitals and clinics even without initial deposit.

Duterte greenlighted the Republic Act 10392, which seeks stiffer penalties for hospitals and clinics that refuse treatment for patients who cannot pay deposit.

This law aims to strengthen the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law which is also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Demand of Deposits or Advance Payments for the Confinement or Treatment of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics in Certain Cases.”

“[It is unlawful to[ request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient,” the law states.

Violators of the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law will be punished by imprisonment of not less than six months and one day but not more than two years and four months, or a penalty of P100,000 but not over P300,000, or both at the discretion of the court.

If violations were committed pursuant to the established policy of the hospital or clinic, the director or officer responsible for the formulation and implementation of such policy will suffer imprisonment of four to six years, or a fine of not less than P500, 000 but not more than P1, 000,000 or both at the discretion of the court.

The law states that hospitals and clinics may only refuse patients “by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities” but not due to  lack hospital deposits. Three repeated violations of hospital may lead to the castigation of the facility’s license by the Department of Health.

Photo credit: Manila Bulletin

Related Articles

Back to top button