Hontiveros wants stiffer penalties for hospitals detaining patients

Risa Hontiveros —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said stiffer penalties must be given to hospitals and medical clinics that detain patients on grounds of nonpayment of hospital bills.

This, in light of complaints raised by family members of deceased patients who were allegedly barred from leaving a hospital in Valenzuela City because they weren’t able to immediately settle their expenses.

READ: Valenzuela hospital under investigation over detention complaints

In a statement, Hontiveros said hospital detention is a “double burden” to patients as well as their families.

She particularly noted that if the allegation against the Valenzuela hospital is true, then it is “branzenly committing crimes.”

“Klaro sa batas na bawal ang hospital detention at pwedeng makulong at pag multahin ang sinumang lumabag dito. The Department of Health must take immediate action on this and make sure incidents like these do not happen again,” said Hontiveros.

(It is clear in our law that hospital detention and anyone who would go against this may be asked to pay a fine or may go to jail. The Department of Health must take immediate action on this and make sure incidents like these do not happen again.)

The development then prompted Hontiveros to reiterate her call for the urgent need to pass the measure she filed in 2022 — Senate Bill No. 140 which seeks to increase the penalties on the detention of patients in hospitals and medical clinics on grounds of nonpayment of hospital bills.

Under Hontiveros’ proposed measure, jail time for employees or health facilities who block the release of patients will be increased to six months and one day to up to two years and four months, while the fine will be increased to P100,000 to P300,000.

“Under the current anti-hospital detention law, imprisonment is set at one month to six months, while the fine is set at P20,000 to P50,000. The law only applies to indigent or ward patients and not to those who are admitted in private rooms,” Hontiveros explained.

Apart from these, Hontiveros’ bill also imposes an additional penalty of four to six years of imprisonment and/or a fine of P500,000 to P1 million for directors or officers who make it a policy at their health facilities or instruct employees to detain patients due to nonpayment of bills.