INTRODUCTION
Today we approve into law a bill which has far-reaching ramifications in terms of advancing the empowerment of our people.

Republic Act No. 8344, an act penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency or serious cases, will particularly benefit indigent patients who would otherwise not receive the immediate attention and care they deserve due to financial constraints.

This new law manifests government’s commitment to fulfill an important social responsibility.
DEMANDING OF DEPOSIT AS PUNISHABLE
RA 8344 amends Batas Pambansa Bilang 702 which had all the good intentions when it was promulgated as it aimed to penalize any proprietor, administrator or officer of a hospital or medical clinic demanding deposit before treating or admitting a patient.

Hospitals and clinics, however, have learned to go around the law by simply refusing admission of patients who appear to be more of a burden than a contributor to their earnings. Some hospitals and clinics have gone so far as to deny treatment even in emergency and serious cases.

Under the old law, what was punishable was the demand for deposit or advance payment — but refusal to admit was not a criminal violation.

The lamentable consequence of this is that it often resulted in the loss of life and limb, mostly of the less fortunate, usually the poor.
MERE REFUSAL TO ADMIT NOW PUNISHABLE
This new law plugs this loophole by making punishable mere refusal to admit emergency cases for confinement or treatment.

It is designed to effectively deter, and perhaps eliminate, the undesirable practice of many hospitals and medical clinics of turning a blind eye to emergency and serious cases even where the patient’s life is at risk. This is particularly true in cases involving the indigents or the financially handicapped among us.

With this new law, hospitals and clinics should now take on more social responsibilities and see beyond the business aspect of health care. They should fairly and equitably provide services to all those in need of medical care and assistance as a matter of conscience and public duty.
IN SUPPORT OF “HEALTH FOR ALL”
We must bear in mind that the constitution itself guarantees the right to health of each and every Filipino citizen.

This is why we adopted the Social Reform Agenda (SRA) to expand access of our people to quality basic services and facilities, including health and nutrition. The SRA placed our collective efforts together to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable among us.

Upon my assumption of the presidency in June 1992, we pledged to attain “health for all Filipinos by the year 2000” and aimed for a strong and healthy citizenry to achieve the kind of economic growth and social equity goals that we have set for ourselves.

This new legislative measure reinforces the efficient and universal implementation of health care distribution as it expands the delivery of basic health services to those who are most in need of them at critical times.
CLOSING
Another new law entitled “An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of the East Avenue Medical Center Located in East Avenue, Quezon City, from Three Hundred and Fifty (350) to Six Hundred (600) Beds, Upgrading the Service-Facilities and Professional Health Care Therein, and Appropriating Funds Therefor” has been approved by me today, although it was originally recommended to just lapse into law by our legislative staff. But I consider it important enough to be signed by me on this occasion.

I would like to commend those involved in the passage of these laws — particularly the authors, sponsors and conferees. Our special appreciation goes to Speaker Jose de Venecia on the part of the House, and Senate President Ernesto Maceda on the part of the Senate for steering these landmark health laws through the difficult but productive legislative process.

These are clear manifestations of our common concern for the well-being of all our fellowmen and women, especially the needy, which is, after all, our primary duty.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!