Hontiveros reiterates warning vs. hospitals asking for cash deposits

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday reiterated her warning against hospitals that allegedly asked for cash deposits from patients in emergency cases, saying that there is already a law penalizing individuals who may be involved in such acts.

Hontiveros made the remark after reports that as many as 77 cases of such acts are currently being investigated by the Department of Health (DOH).

“Panatag ang loob ko na hindi pinapalampas ng DOH ang pagiging abusado ng ilang mga ospital,” the senator said in a statement.

RA 10932, or the Strengthened Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, provides that in cases of emergency which can lead to a person's death, the hospital will not “request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment” before giving basic emergency care.

“Tandaan po natin: Walang katumbas na pera ang buhay ng isang tao. This law exists precisely to protect every Filipino from hospitals that prioritize profit over care,” Hontiveros said.

She also urged the public to report abusive hospitals that are engaging in such acts. Under the law, complaints may be filed with the Health Facilities Oversight Board.

Practitioners of a hospital that will be found guilty of violating the act may be slapped with a fine of P300,000 and face imprisonment of up to two years and four months.

If hospitals create and implement a policy that asks for deposits in emergency cases, individuals involved will be fined of up to P1 million and a prison term of up to six years.

If the violation is repeated three times, this could result in the revocation of the hospital or clinic's license.

“Pinapaalala ko sa lahat na walang katumbas na kita ang buhay ng isang tao.  Profit will never trump people’s right to healthcare,” Hontiveros said. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News