Senator Mark Villar welcomed the Senate’s approval of a measure seeking tougher penalties against hospitals and medical clinics that illegally prevent patients and their families from leaving because of unpaid medical bills.

Senate Bill No. 1511, or the proposed Enhanced Anti-Hospital Detention Act, was approved on third and final reading with 18 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and one abstention.

The bill seeks to strengthen Republic Act No. 9439, which prohibits hospitals and clinics from detaining patients who cannot pay their medical expenses immediately.

Villar said families already dealing with the emotional and financial strain of hospitalization should not be subjected to further indignity because of unpaid bills.

“Hindi dapat maging kulungan ang mga ospital at clinic para sa ating mga kababayang hindi agad makabayad ng hospital bills. Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas na ito, mas papatawan ng mabigat na parusa ang mga pasilidad na iligal na nagde-detain ng mga pasyente, sanggol, o maging ng labi ng ating mga kababayan (Hospitals and clinics should not become prisons for our fellow Filipinos who are unable to immediately pay their medical bills. Under this proposed law, facilities that illegally detain patients, newborns, or even the remains of our fellow citizens will face heavier penalties),” Villar emphasized.

The proposed measure broadens the protection under the existing law to cover not only patients but also their relatives, representatives, and caregivers. It specifically prohibits hospitals from withholding newborns in maternity cases or retaining the remains of deceased patients over unsettled hospital accounts.

It also seeks to outlaw the so-called “palit-ulo” practice, where a relative, caregiver, or another individual is required to stay behind in exchange for a patient’s release.

Villar described the practice as particularly degrading for families already struggling with illness, bereavement, and mounting healthcare costs.

Under the proposed law, hospital employees or officers responsible for illegal detention could face a fine of up to ₱300,000 or imprisonment of up to two years and four months.

Hospital directors or officers who establish or implement policies allowing illegal detention could face fines ranging from ₱500,000 to ₱1 million and imprisonment of four to six years. Hospitals could also lose their license to operate if three violations are committed under such a policy.

Villar clarified that the bill would not eliminate patients’ legitimate medical debts or prevent hospitals from pursuing payment. Rather, it would require medical facilities to rely on lawful and humane means of collecting unpaid accounts.

Patients who cannot afford their bills may execute promissory notes backed by legally recognized security or guarantee arrangements, while qualified individuals may also seek guarantee letters from appropriate government agencies.

Villar said hospitals have a legitimate need to remain financially viable and collect unpaid obligations, but this should not override an individual’s liberty and dignity.