QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 6615)
It requires all duly licensed government and private hospitals or clinics to render immediate emergency medical assistance and to provide facilities and medicine within their capabilities to patients in emergency cases who are in danger of dying and/or who may have suffered serious physical injuries.
Patients (1) in danger of dying and/or (2) who may have suffered serious physical injuries.
It requires immediate emergency medical assistance and provision of facilities and medicine within the hospital’s capabilities; it is not limited to first aid.
Any hospital director, administrator, officer-in-charge or physician; and any nurse, midwife or medical attendant who refuses to extend appropriate assistance (subject to existing rules) or neglects to notify/call a physician.
Imprisonment of one month and one day to one year and one day, and a fine of three hundred pesos to one thousand pesos.
It states that penalties under RA 6615 are “without prejudice” to the provisions of RA No. 2382 in the case of physicians.
Liability attaches only if the person “refuse[s] or fail[s] without good cause” to render appropriate assistance after the case is brought to his attention.
It provides that the imposition of the criminal penalty on responsible persons is without prejudice to administrative action that might be proper.
Aside from criminal penalties, whenever justified, the hospital’s license to operate may be suspended or revoked.
Expenses and losses of earnings incurred for medicines, facilities, and services beyond first aid extended to emergency cases, as required by Section 1.
Yes. The deduction/losses shall not exceed fifty thousand pesos per year.
For a period of five years.
Yes. It states “any provision of law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding.”
The Bureau of Medical Services, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Health.
It indicates a notice element: criminal liability for hospital directors/administrators/officer-in-charge/physicians attaches after the case has been brought to their attention.
It repeals any law or parts thereof inconsistent with RA 6615.
It takes effect upon its approval.
Section 1 expressly requires “immediate emergency medical assistance,” emphasizing prompt action in life-threatening or seriously injured emergencies.