JUNE 28, 2013

NR # 3148

Solons want free medical and dental clinics for indigent children
Party-list lawmakers vowed to push for the passage of a measure in the 16 th Congress, establishing free medical and dental clinics in all hospitals to attend to the needs of indigent children. The bill, authored by re-elected Reps. Mariano Michael Velarde, Jr., William Irwin Tieng and incoming Rep. Lito Atienza (Party-list, Buhay), will also require medical centers, clinics, infirmaries and puericulture centers to extend free medical and dental assistance to underprivileged children. Under the Child and Youth Welfare Code, every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper medical attention and all the basic physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life, Velarde said. Velarde said it is the task of Congress to lead the way in eradicating corrupt practices such as denying admission of street children to medical institutions. By virtue of the doctrine of parens patrie, indigent children who have been abandoned by their parents are the wards of the State and Congress should take the necessary steps to provide the indigent children to live healthy lives in spite of their impoverished condition, Velarde said. The bill, to be known as the Free Medical and Dental Assistance to Indigent Children Act, shall provide free medical and dental services to abandoned and impoverished children below 18 years of age. Under the measure, all government and private hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries or puericulture centers and similar establishments are required to render medical and dental services to the indigent children, regardless of whether or not they are in danger of dying and/or may have suffered physical injuries requiring immediate medical attention and treatment. The expenses and losses of earnings incurred by a private hospital, medical center, clinic, infirmary, puericulture center or similar establishment, or by an individual physician or dentist for medicine, facilities, and services extended to the care and treatment of an indigent child in the amount not exceeding P300,000 per year, shall be deductible expenses and losses for income tax purposes which may be carried over for a period of five years. Refusal or failure, without good cause to render the appropriate medical assistance or dental service by any nurse, midwife, medical or dental attendant subject to existing

rules; or neglect to notify or call the attention of the physician or dentist in attendance shall be punished with imprisonment of at least one year, but not more than five years, or a fine of ten thousand pesos, but not more than fifteen thousand pesos, or both fine and imprisonment at the sound discretion of the Court. In the case of government hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries, or puericulture centers or similar establishments, the imposition of the appropriate penalties upon the persons guilty of the violation of the proposed act shall be without prejudice to the administrative sanction that may be properly imposable. In the case of private hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries, or puericulture centers or similar establishments, the license to operate shall be suspended or revoked. (30) jsc