A bill regarding penalties to hospitals refusing patients with no deposits passed the Senate.
HOSPITALS – A bill that entails an increase on penalties for hospitals who refuse to give their patients with no deposits emergency care passed the Senate.
Based on a recent report in ABS-CBN News, the main author of the Senate Bill 1353 that passed the Senate is Senator Risa Hontiveros.
The said bill will make the financial penalties of hospitals violating the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law higher.
According to the lady Senator, a hospital that would refuse to give emergency care to a poor patient or a pregnant woman that would come to their emergency room may face up to five times of the financial penalty.
Based on the report, the P100,000 penalty for hospitals may rise to P500,000 up to P1 million under the Senate Bill 1353.
Sen. Hontiveros also expressed that after three violations of the rule, the Department of Health may retract the license of a hospital or health facility.
Moreover, the lady Senator also expressed that under the said bill, a Health Facilities Oversight Board would be made under the DOH. They will be tasked to check on the feedbacks of the patients towards the hospital.
Based on the report, Sen. Hontiveros expressed that the expenses of the hospital in providing emergency care for the poor patients would be repaid via the PhilHealth or the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Undeniably, there were some complains towards certain hospitals when it comes to money matters. One of the recent complains that has crossed the social media is the sentiment of a loved one of a patient who allegedly died.
It was not about emergency care yet it revolves around the financial aspect. Based on a previous news report, the netizen allegedly asked the hospital to allow them to make a partial payment but they were not allowed.
Instead, they were allegedly suggested to get a land title or a check. According to the netizen, she really felt bad towards the treatment of the private hospital.
