DEC.

20, 2011 DATE

NR # 2623B
REF. NO.

House passes bill that boosts regulation of health services and facilities
The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading House Bill 5471, which seeks to strengthen the regulation of health facilities and services in the Philippines, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 4226, otherwise known as the Hospital Licensure Act. Under the bill, all health facilities and health services which provide diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative and/or other health care services, except medical radiation facilities and hospital pharmacies, are required to register and secure a license with the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (BHFS) or Bureau before they are allowed to operate or be opened to the public. The bill provides that the initial license to operate and maintain a health facility or other related facility shall be valid for a period of two years from its date of issuance and shall be renewed regularly, subject to the rules and regulations to be issued by the Bureau. The Bureau, as a regulatory agency, is mandated to establish and prescribe rules, regulations, standards and specifications in all cases related to the issued certificate of license of health facilities and other related facilities and administer and enforce the same, the bill said. It is also tasked to inspect and monitor all health facilities and other related facilities to ensure their continued compliance with the rules and regulations in accordance with this Act and to make recommendations to directors or administrators of such health facilities for the correction of deficiencies found during such inspection, the bill added. Further, the Bureau is responsible for the study and adoption of a system of classifying health facilities and other health-related facilities in the Philippines as well as for the approval of construction designs and plans for health facilities, government or private, including renovation or expansion of the same, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, among others. To enable it to carry out its tasks effectively, the bill vested the Bureau with quasijudicial powers such as to investigate, hear and decide administrative cases initiated by the Bureau or filed by any person against a hospital or health service establishment violating any provision of this Act and to impose appropriate administrative sanctions or penalties provided herein. The Bureau also has the power to summarily order the closure of health facilities and other related facilities operating with a license. Likewise, it shall exercise contempt powers and impose appropriate penalties.

DEC. 20, 2011 DATE

NR # 2623B
REF. NO.

The bill likewise vests the President of the Philippines with the power to regulate the prices of health care services. HB 5471 was authored by Reps. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava (Lone District, Guimaras), Alfredo Maraon (2nd District, Negros Occidental), Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan), Florencio Flores Jr. (2nd District, Bukidnon), Jeci Lapus (3rd District, Tarlac), Loreto Leo Ocampos (2nd District, Misamis Occidental), Maximo Dalog (Lone District, Mountain Province), Edgar San Luis (4th District, Laguna), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City), Ma. Jocelyn Bernos (Lone District, Abra), Mary Mitzi Cajayon (2nd District, Caloocan City), Godofredo Arquiza (Party list, Senior Citizens), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Emmie De Jesus (Partylist, Gabriela), Herminia Roman (1st District, Bataan), Randolph Ting (3rd District, Cagayan), Anthony Rolando Golez Jr. (Lone District, Bacolod City), Joseph Gilbert Violago (2nd District, Nueva Ecija), Daryl Grace Abayon (Partylist, AANGAT Tayo), Jane Castro (2nd District, Capiz) and Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party list, Bagong Henerasyon). (30) mvip