Philippine Senate passes anti-hospital detention bill

The Philippine Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1511, the Enhanced Anti-Hospital Detention Act, which strengthens the prohibition against detaining patients, their relatives, caregivers, newborn babies, and human remains in hospitals over unpaid medical bills. The bill expands the coverage of Republic Act No. 9439 and raises penalties for violations, including fines up to PHP1 million and imprisonment for hospital directors or officers who implement policies of illegal detention. It also requires transparency in healthcare costs and billing, prohibits hidden charges, and establishes patient grievance mechanisms. The bill allows financially incapable patients to leave after executing a promissory note, and qualified indigent patients may use guarantee letters from the Department of Health or Hong Kong — Social Welfare Department. The measure passed with 18 votes in favor, none against, and one abstention from Senator Panfilo Lacson, who cited his founding membership in a hospital in Cavite. Principal author and sponsor Senator Risa Hontiveros emphasized that the bill does not cancel unpaid obligations but ensures that debt collection is done lawfully without compromising patient dignity and freedom.