Ordinance strengthens no downpayment policy in hospitals

A city ordinance that seeks to strengthen the national law prohibiting hospitals and similar medical institutions from demanding deposits or advance payments for confinement or treatment of patients was filed Monday by Councilor Jimbo Maristela. Counc i lor Maristela’s proposal requires hospitals to post signages in their emergency rooms and billing sections that states advanced “deposits are not required” as provided under Republic Act 10932 or the AntiHospital Deposit Law. “Napansin natin na ilan sa mga ospital natin lalo na sa mga pribado, na mukhang may mga violations. Hindi naman sa violation, kundi sana maganda rin ‘yong protection sa ating mga kababayan,” said Maristela. He recalled an incident when the wife of one of his staff who suffered cardiac arrest was refused initial treatment in a hospital because of the absence of an advanced payment. He claimed the hospital even demanded the family of the patient to make a deposit before performing the basic treatment. The emergency staff allegedly claimed not knowing about the law on antihospital deposit. “Nagpasa tayo ng isang proposed ordinance na sana ay mayroong nakapaskil sa mga emergency rooms na dito ay hindi required ang pagde-deposit in case of emergency and serious cases,” he said. Maristela pointed out that the ordinance carries with it a penalty of up to P3,000. He also reiterated that his proposal defines cases that fall under the category of “serious and emergency.” “Katulad ‘yong manganganak, yan is emergency, hindi naman puwedeng tanggihan ‘yan dahil puwedeng mamatay siya o magkaroon siya ng mas malubhang sakit katulad ng ma-stroke siya,” he said. Under the proposed ordinance, the size of the signage shall be at least 8.5 13 inches and must be posted in a place visible to the public. Maristela’s filed ordinance was referred to the Committee on Health.