Bagong Henerasyon partylist Rep. Robert Nazal called for an investigation into an alleged violation of Republic Act 10932 or the Anti-Hospital Deposit Act that resulted in the death of a man who was seeking treatment for brain hematoma.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nazal said that there is a need to determine if the provisions of RA 10932 were fully complied with in the case of Marvin Sulit.
In a now-viral social media post, Maria Lourdes Sulit, wife of the deceased, said that her husband was brought to a hospital due to brain hematoma.
She said that the estimated cost of the procedure was beyond their means, noting they were given an option to transfer to another hospital where the same treatment is available at a lower price.
Lourdes said her husband died before he could be transferred to the second hospital; a deposit was required and they did not have the money.
Nazal said that no Filipino family "should ever be placed in the position of having to choose between raising money and saving the life of a loved one, particularly where the law expressly guarantees the immediate provision of emergency medical treatment, regardless of financial capacity." He added that it is important to determine if the existing penalties, sanctions, and enforcement mechanisms under the law were sufficient to deter violations and promote full compliance among healthcare providers and institutions.
Nazal said it is a must to ensure that PhilHealth’s policies, RA 10932 and other related rules and regulations provide adequate protection to patients who incur substantial medical expenses or die shortly after admission due to emergency or life-threatening conditions.
He said the purpose of the inquiry is to develop legislative, administrative, regulatory and policy reforms in the country’s healthcare system; reinforce patient protection and enhance accountability among healthcare institutions; improve public awareness of patients’ rights; and ensure that no Filipino is deprived of timely emergency medical treatment because of financial considerations.
He underscored the need to address critical gaps in the policies of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth, specifically in the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit.
Nazal said that these gaps leave members vulnerable to severe financial distress whenever they are faced with medical emergencies.
“PhilHealth contributors just like Marvin Sulit end up falling through the cracks and left without the benefits they rightfully expect after years of paying contributions,” Nazal said.
“When a patient survives, the family should not be left carrying medical expenses because a case fell through the cracks. When a patient dies, the family should not be left grieving while fighting for benefits they believed would be available when they needed them most,” he added.
In an earlier statement, PhilHealth said that it has mobilized its team to address the case of Sulit.
"We are likewise coordinating with the hospitals to understand the circumstances of the situation, as part of our sustained efforts to improve PhilHealth's responsiveness," it said. RED MENDOZA
