MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure compelling all healthcare facilities to make and provide their patients price lists of all their services, incidental expenses, and medical supplies to ensure accessible, transparent, and reliable delivery of services. Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, principal author of House Bill 4308, expressed hope that the bill would also gain the nod of their counterparts in the Senate.
“Through the passage of this measure, the public is empowered to choose the healthcare facility where they would avail themselves of medical services, especially during times of economic downturns and ultimately, achieve the national goal of establishing a responsible and efficient healthcare delivery,” he said.
Known as the Healthcare Services Price Disclosure Act of 2011, healthcare facilities that either fail to post a price list or post outdated, inaccurate, inadequate price lists of healthcare services, incidental expenses and medical supplies will be slapped with stiffer penalties, including the revocation of license.
Romulo explained that any increase in the price of healthcare services, incidental expenses and medical supplies shall take effect only after proper posting as required in this measure and shall not affect patients admitted prior to posting increase in price.
HB 4308 provides that any juridical person who violates shall be subject to an administrative fine of not more than P50,000 per instance of violation without prejudice to suspension or revocation of license to operate such healthcare facility for a period not exceeding 60 days.
The healthcare facility officers directly responsible for the violation shall also be subject to an administrative fine of not more than P25,000 per instance of violation without prejudice to suspension or revocation of its license to practice profession for a period not exceeding 60 days, according to the bill.
Charisa Luci, Manila Bulletin
