October 14th, 10:57pm October 14th, 10:57pm TDTWithout Fear Without Favor

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday vowed to stop the illegal practice of detaining patients in a hospital until they settle their medical bills.

“Marami pa rin lumalapit sa akin na pamilya ng pasyente, humihingi ng tulong dahil ayaw palabasin sa ospital ang kanilang kamag-anak kahit may promissory note na,” Go said during Monday’s Senate health committee hearing on Senate Bill (SB) No. 166 filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros and SB No. 697 of Senator Koko Pimentel.

He added that detaining a patient increases his or her hospital bills.

Go also called for the stricter implementation of existing laws to prevent the bad practice.

“I would also like to point out that, like in any other law, stricter implementation will be key to achieving the objectives of this measures,” he said.

However, Go acknowledged that hospitals also need to be protected from abusive patients, by incorporating safeguards.

In the hearing, Go asked a representative of the Department of Health (DoH) why the practice remains pervasive.

Dr. Rosendo Sualog, medical specialist of the DoH, replied, “The law does not cover patients who stay in private rooms, and there are patients unable to pay bills for the private room. There are also those who do not cooperate, such as when they fail to execute a promissory note. Some misinterpret the law.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Gender and Development Chairperson Atty. Gay Nadine Alvor sought the help of Go on the rationalization of PCSO’s taxes.

“Malasakit Centers nag-evolve po, hindi na lang hospitalization assistance pero meron na rin tumatakbo for non-hospital related expenses. Pwede po bang hingin namin ang tulong ninyo. Gusto po sanang hingin ng PCSO ang tulong niyo para ma-rationalize ang aming taxes,” Alvor said.

Go responded, saying “Walang problema. Kung ano maitutulong namin, sabihin niyo, basta ibalik natin ang pera ng mga Pilipino. Up to the last centavo. Sa kanila ‘yan.”

The senator added that the Malasakit Centers will be able to complement the proposed anti-hospital detention measures by assisting indigent patients in settling their hospital balance and expenses.

“Makaka-complement rin po ang Malasakit Centers sa mga realities na nangyayari. Unang una, pag na-hostage ‘yung pasyente or cadaver, wala silang pambayad. With Malasakit Center sa ospital, makakahingi sila ng tulong sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno. Ang DSWD nakakapagbigay pa ng burial assistance kung kailangan, even pamasahe po,” Go said.