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House Bill Seeks to Provide Hospital Benefits and Other Privileges to Teachers and Their Dependents

This bill seeks to provide hospital benefits and other privileges to teachers and their dependents in all government hospitals.

It is often mentioned that teachers are our unsung heroes. Despite the meager salary that teachers get, they remain loyal to their responsibility of molding the values and character of the youth. In schools, the teachers are considered the substitute parents of our children under our civil laws. They are also often required to serve during elections, risking their lives and limbs to uphold the right to suffrage. Due to the complexities of their job, our teachers are exposed to health risks such as pharyngitis, hypertension, anemia, hyperacidity and lung related diseases, among others. There is a need therefore to provide special attention to our teachers, especially on their health concerns.

This bill seeks to provide hospital beds and fast lane facilities for the teachers and their dependents in all government hospitals. This way, teachers will be assured of easy access to their hospitalization needs. Moreover, the provision for special discounts and increase in health insurance coverage will surely lessen the burden of paying the high costs of medication and consultations.

House Bill No. 7617

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HOSPITAL BENEFITS AND OTHER PRIVILEGES FOR TEACHERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assemble:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Teachers’ Hospital Benefits Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential health and other social services available to all people at affordable costs. Towards this end, the State shall protect the interests and promote the well-being of Filipino teachers and their dependents through the provision of medical services.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act:

a) Teacher refers to:

i. A person who teaches any subject, including practical and vocational arts, at the day-care, pre-school, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels of institution in public and private schools;

ii. An individual who provides guidance and counseling in all public and private schools;

iii. A person who provides instructional supervision in all public and private schools; and

iv. A person employed as school physician, school dentists or school nurse.

b) Dependent refers to:

i. Legitimate spouse;

ii. Legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted children, chiefly dependent upon and living with the teacher if such child is not more than eighteen (18) years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed or is over the age of majority but incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to a mental or physical defect; and

iii. The teachers’ parents who are dependent upon the teacher for support.

SEC. 4. Mandate. – To ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of medical benefits, all government hospitals are hereby mandated to:

a) Provide for health care services to all teachers and their legal dependents which shall include preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative programs;

b) Conduct medical and other relevant diagnostic examination to ensure the physical and mental capability of all teacher applicants; and

c) Set-up a system that will effectively monitor the health condition of teachers and their dependents.

SEC. 5. Benefits and Privileges. – To carry out the purposes of this Act, all government hospitals shall:

a) Provide at least thirty (30) hospital beds for teachers and their dependents;

b) Grant at least ten percent (10%) discount on consultations and other hospital needs for teachers and their dependents; and

c) Provide fast-lane facilities to serve teachers and their dependents.

SEC. 6. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is hereby mandated to increase by ten percent (10%) the health care coverage of teachers and their dependents for medical expenses.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulation. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary or the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such sections or parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,

TEACHERS’ HOSPITAL BENEFITS ACT HISTORY

FULL TITLE: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HOSPITAL BENEFITS AND OTHER PRIVILEGES FOR TEACHERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

PRINCIPAL AUTHOR/S: RODRIGUEZ, MAXIMO JR.B.

DATE FILED: 2018-05-08

SIGNIFICANCE: NATIONAL

CO-AUTHORS (Journal Entries):

  1. Bordado (000 2018-11-19)

ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

REFERRAL TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE ON 2018-05-16

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Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, from the Philippines, has significantly influenced the teaching profession by enabling thousands of teachers nationwide to access essential information and exchange ideas. His contributions have enhanced their instructional and supervisory abilities. Moreover, his articles on teaching have reached international audiences and have been featured on highly regarded educational websites in the United States.

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