“Hindi dapat matakot magpa-ospital ang isang Pilipino dahil wala siyang pera. At kapag magaling na at pinayagan nang umuwi ng doktor, hindi rin dapat mangamba ang pasyente na hindi siya makakauwi dahil lamang may natitira pang bayarin,” stressed Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as he welcomed the Senate’s approval on third and final reading of a measure strengthening protections against the detention of patients over unpaid hospital bills.
Senate recently approved Senate Bill No. 1511, or the proposed Enhanced Anti-Hospital Detention Act, on third and final reading with 18 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and one abstention. The measure seeks to strengthen Republic Act No. 9439 and broaden safeguards for patients and their families against hospital detention arising from unpaid medical expenses. Go co-authored and co-sponsored the measure.
Go, who has consistently pushed reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible particularly to poor and financially vulnerable Filipinos, stressed that seeking medical treatment should never become another source of fear for families already struggling with illness.
The proposed law expands existing safeguards and imposes stiffer penalties against hospitals and medical facilities that unlawfully prevent qualified patients from leaving because of unpaid bills. It maintains mechanisms under which financially incapable patients may execute a promissory note or provide appropriate guarantees before discharge.
“We are glad to have co-authored or co-sponsored the measure, which will now extend the protection against hospital detention to all patients, including those who were constrained to stay in private rooms, whether by medical necessity, availability of rooms, or other circumstances beyond their control. So, ibig po sabihin nito, ‘yung mga napilitan pong pumili sa private room dahil puno na po ‘yung charity ward, sila po ‘yung dapat na ma-cover dito sa batas, kung sakaling maisabatas po ito,” said Go.
Go stressed that the objective is to establish a humane system in which patients are protected while ensuring that healthcare institutions have workable mechanisms to sustain their operations.
“Naiintindihan natin na may obligasyon din ang mga ospital at kailangan nilang magkaroon ng sapat na pondo para magpatuloy ang kanilang serbisyo. Kaya ang mahalaga rito ay magkaroon tayo ng patas at makataong sistema—protektado ang pasyente at may mekanismo rin para mapangalagaan ang mga health facilities,” he said.
The health reforms crusader likewise reiterated the need for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to maximize its resources and use its available funds for the direct benefit of its members.
“Gamitin ang pondo,” Go stressed, as he continued his call for PhilHealth resources to be translated into wider benefit packages, greater financial protection, and lower out-of-pocket expenses for Filipinos seeking medical care.
Health funds, Go emphasized, must ultimately reach the people who need them most. Government resources intended for healthcare should ease the financial burden of patients and their families, especially those who delay treatment because they fear the cost of hospitalization.
This forms part of Go’s broader health reforms crusade, which has focused on improving access to primary care, strengthening government hospitals, bringing medical services closer to communities, and helping indigent patients obtain government medical assistance.
During the Senate session, Go reiterated the importance of continuously strengthening healthcare services, including the operation of Malasakit Centers nationwide to assist poor and financially incapacitated patients seeking medical support.
“Unang-una na po diyan ang ating pagsisikap na mapalakas ang ating serbisyong pangkalusugan, katulad ng mga Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa upang makapagbigay ng mabilis at libreng tulong medikal sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan,” Go said.
He also reminded Filipinos not to postpone seeking medical attention when they experience symptoms that could indicate illness.
“Pa-check up agad!” Go urged, emphasizing the importance of consulting healthcare professionals as early as possible rather than waiting until an illness becomes more serious and potentially more expensive to treat.
With continuous rains affecting various parts of the country, Go also reminded the public to take precautions to protect their health.
“Hangg’t maaari, iwasang mababad sa ulan,” he advised, while encouraging Filipinos experiencing symptoms to immediately seek appropriate medical attention.
Go himself came to the Senate session after participating in relief operations, traveling by motorcycle before proceeding to the Senate. After getting wet from the rainy conditions, he immediately changed clothes upon arrival so he could attend the session and continue his legislative duties.
His day underscored the range of his public service work—from responding directly to communities affected by calamities to returning to the Senate to participate in legislative proceedings and advance measures intended to address the everyday needs of Filipinos.
“Patuloy po tayong magseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan dahil para sa akin, ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ’yan sa Diyos,” Go said.
The passage of the strengthened anti-hospital detention measure, Go emphasized, advances the goal of building a healthcare system where Filipinos can seek treatment without being paralyzed by fear over the cost and where medically cleared patients can return home to their families without unpaid hospital bills becoming an additional source of distress.
