Duterte imposes higher penalties for hospitals demanding deposits in emergencies cases

MANILA, Philippines — Hospitals demanding deposits from patients in emergencies cases watch out.

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the bill Thursday, August 3 Republic Act. No. 10932 or “An Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.

The RA No. 10932 amended Batas Pambansa Bilang 702, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Demand of Deposits or Advance Payments for the Confinement or Treatment of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics in Certain Cases.

This means  hospitals  are prohibited from asking deposits from patients in emergency or they will be penalized.

Hospitals should not demand money or refuse to administer medical treatment for patients in emergency or serious medical conditions if they do not have money upon admission.

“In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful… to request, solicit, demand, or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient,” the new law said.

THE PENALTIES

The law states, Any official, medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic who violates the provision of this act shall, upon conviction by final judgment;

•  “Will be punished by imprisonment of not less than six months and one day but not more than two years and four months, or a fine of not less than P100,000, but not more than P300,000.00 or both at the discretion of the court.”
• “If such violation was committed pursuant to an established policy of the hospital or clinic, or upon instruction of its management, the director or officer of the hospital or clinic responsible for the formulation and implementation of such policy shall, upon the conviction by final judgement, suffer imprisonment of four to six years, or a fine of not less than P500, 000 but not more than P1, 000,000 or both at the discretion of the court.”
• Three repeated violations from hospitals may also lead to the castigation of the facility’s license by the Department of Health (DOH).

Hospitals and clinics may only refuse patients “by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities” but not due to  lack hospital deposits.

Attending physicians are allowed to transfer patients to another facility that can provide appropriate care only after necessary emergency treatment and support has been given to stabilize the patient, the law emphasized.-/newsline.ph