Labag sa batas ang pagtanggi ng ospital na tanggapin ang promissory note kahit nasa paid ward...

‘Pag may anim na pasyente

ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta - @Magtanong Kay Attorney | November 27, 2020

Dear Chief Acosta,

Puwede bang tanggihan ng ospital ang promissory note na aming ibinibigay sa kadahilanang nasa paid ward kami na kuwarto kung saan anim na pasyente ang namamalagi? – Jem

Dear Jem,

Para sa inyong kaalaman, ang mga batas na nakasasaklaw sa inyong sitwasyon ay ang Sections 1 at 2 ng Republic Act No. 9439 o mas kilala sa tawag na “An Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Non-Payment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses” at ang Implementing Rules and Regulations ng nasabing batas kung saan nakasaad na:

“SECTION 1.It shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic in the country to detain or to otherwise cause, directly or indirectly, the detention of patients who have fully or partially recovered or have been adequately attended to or who may have died, for reasons of nonpayment in part or in full of hospital bills or medical expenses.

SEC. 2. Patients who have fully or partially recovered and who already wish to leave the hospital or medical clinic but are financially incapable to settle, in part or in full, their hospitalization expenses, including professional fees and medicines, shall be allowed to leave the hospital or medical clinic, with a right to demand the issuance of the corresponding medical certificate and other pertinent papers required for the release of the patient from the hospital or medical clinic upon the execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid obligation. The promissory note shall be secured by either a mortgage or by a guarantee of a co-maker, who will be jointly and severally liable with the patient for the unpaid obligation. In the case of a deceased patient, the corresponding death certificate and other documents required for interment and other purposes shall be released to any of his surviving relatives requesting for the same: Provided, however, that patients who stayed in private rooms shall not be covered by this Act.” (Binigyang-diin)

IV. Definition of Terms
“For purposes of R.A. No. 9439 and its implementing rules and regulations, the following definitions are provided:

xxx

K. Private Room – a single occupancy room or a ward type room divided by either permanent or semi-permanent partition (except curtains) not to exceed 4 patients per room who are admitted for diagnosis, treatment and other forms of health care maintenance.” (Binigyang-diin)

Ayon sa nabanggit na mga probisyon ng batas hindi sakop ng Republic Act No. 9439 ang mga ward type room sa mga ospital na hindi lalagpas sa apat na pasyente ang namamalagi. Sa inyong sitwasyon at bilang sagot sa inyong katanungan, hindi kayo dapat tanggihan ng ospital sa pagbibigay ng promissory note sapagkat kayo ay namalagi sa paid ward kung saan anim na mga pasyente ang namamalagi.

Nawa ay nasagot namin ang inyong mga katanungan. Nais naming ipaalala sa inyo na ang opinyong ito ay nakabase sa inyong mga salaysay sa inyong liham at sa pagkakaintindi namin dito. Maaaring maiba ang opinyon kung mayroong karagdagang impormasyong ibibigay. Mas mainam kung personal kayong sasangguni sa abogado.