Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr aired the warning after a person died when several hospitals refused to treat her.
One hospital allegedly asked for a P30,000 down payment.
In a briefing, Roque said Republic Act 10932, signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, strengthened the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.
The spokesman said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra assured him the turning away of the patient would be investigated. He said violators of the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law face imprisonment
Under the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, it is unlawful for any hospital official, medical practitioner or employee “to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient.”
The violation is punishable with six months to two years of imprisonment, or P100,000 to P300,000 fine.
Earlier this month, Duterte warned hospitals that they would face suspension if they refuse admission to critically ill patients amid the coronavirus pandemic. The president made the statement after a patient in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, was refused admission by six hospitals. The same warning was issued by Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros on Monday.
“Hospitals must comply with the law and must not withhold life-saving medical treatment from persons who need it the most or face legal penalties for doing so,” Hontiveros said.
“Human lives are more important than the profits of some people, especially during this time of crisis,” she said.
Her warning was prompted by reports of emergency patients who died after they were turned away by hospitals because they could not pay an initial deposit or fee.
Hontiveros cited the cases of Katherine Bulatao, who was rejected by six hospitals, including one which wanted her family to pay P4,000 for the personal protective equipment of their medical staff, and Josefina Barros, who was denied treatment by nine hospitals, including one which demanded a P3,000-deposit from her family.
The two cases are clear violations of the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, she said.
“I urge the Department of Health and our law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate and charge those legally liable for these incidents.”
“The ongoing pandemic is not an excuse for hospitals to commit abuses and deny emergency medical care to those who have less in life,”
Hontiveros said.
Related Story
