QC councilor files ordinance on hospital patients’ rights
Posted at 6:47 pm April 25, 2011
Posted Under: Archive Work in QC, Articles, Work in QC
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA- Second District Councilor Alfred Vargas has filed ordinances on hospital deposits and other patients’ rights whenever they seek medical help.
The ordinances require medical establishments and health centers to post copies of Republic Acts 9439 and 8344.
Under Republic Act 9439, hospitals and medical clinics are prohibited from “detaining” patients due to non-payment of hospital bills or medical expenses, while Republic Act 8344 penalizes medical establishments refusing to administer initial medical treatment for emergency or serious cases due to lack of a cash deposit.
The proposed ordinances also require that the posted information are not tampered with, vandalized or permanently removed in any manner.
Hospitals and medical establishments who will violate these ordinances will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 and an imprisonment for up to one year.
Vargas said that with these ordinances, the urban poor as well as the public will be guided properly whenever they need medical treatment from hospitals.
The Quezon City local government is also looking into implementing a stiffer implementation of the Republic Acts 9439 and 8344 to penalize hospitals who still violate these laws.
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