Free Annual Medical Check-up Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -3 P5:00 SENATE RICARDO S. No.. Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR PROVIDING FOR A FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR ALL FILIPINOS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. Based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted in July 2023 and January 2024, the poverty incidence among families was registered at 10.9 percent or equivalent to 3.0 million poor families in 2023. Despite not being a direct cause of death in official statistics, poverty raises mortality rates by making people more susceptible to illness and causing difficulties to access proper healthcare. In 2024, it was reported that the top five (5) causes of death in the country were ischaemic heart diseases, neoplasms, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia and diabetes mellitus. Poverty exacerbates these conditions and contributes to fatalities, especially for children and underprivileged. Thus, this bill seeks to provide Free-Annual Medical Check-Up for all Filipinos. By virtue of their membership in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Filipinos shall be entitled to avail check-ups with accredited hospitals, including blood sugar and cholesterol tests. This measure likewise aims to expand coverage of the current laboratory and diagnostic tests of PhilHealth members.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -3 P5:01 SENATE RIE: S. No. 97 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR ALL FILIPINOS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Annual Medical

Check-Up Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to support and

4 promote the right to health by enhancing programs which focus on preventive and curative medicine that advance the health and well-being of Filipinos and prevent disease, disability, and death. Pursuant thereto, Filipinos shall be entitled to an annual medical check-up that is free of charge in any government hospital and institution.

Sec. 3. Coverage. - All Filipino Citizens, by virtue of their membership in the

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) mandated under Republic Act No. 11223, or the "Universal Health Care Law" ', shall be entitled to the applicable benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Program. Members shall be entitled to a free annual medical check-up that shall include blood sugar and cholesterol tests. Laboratory and diagnostic tests shall be expanded, subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds.

Sec. 4. Schedule of Free Medical Check-Up. - To promote health, identify risks,

and ensure early diagnosis, PhilHealth shall establish a system that allows access to

free annual medical check-up and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded quality health care services that they deserve.

Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be

charged against PhilHealth funds.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — The Department of Health

shall, in coordination with PhilHealth, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act not later than ninety (90) days from its effectivity.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and

regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,