Republic Act No. 4226

Legal Document Type: Republic Act No. 4226
Purpose: This Act mandates the licensure of all hospitals in the Philippines and designates the Bureau of Medical Services as the licensing authority.

Key Definitions:
- Hospital: A facility primarily for diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients, including various types of care facilities.
- Government Hospital: Operated by national or local government entities.
- Private Hospital: Privately owned and operated with funds from private sources.
- Clinic: A facility for out-patient medical consultations; defined as a hospital if it has at least six beds for overnight use.
- Licensee: Individual or entity granted a license to operate a hospital.

Requirement: No hospital can be constructed without an approved plan and construction permit from the licensing agency.
Key Detail: This applies to both government and private hospitals.

Operational Requirement: Hospitals must be registered and obtain a license from the licensing agency before opening to the public.

Designation: The Bureau of Medical Services will serve as the licensing agency.
Reorganization: The Bureau will include specialized staff to fulfill its duties without increasing existing personnel.

Powers:
- Conduct surveys of existing hospitals.
- Approve construction plans and issue permits.
- Maintain a register of licensed hospitals.
- Conduct inspections and publish annual lists of licensed hospitals.
- Submit annual reports to relevant health authorities.

Procedure: Applications for construction permits must be submitted to the Bureau, including hospital plans and relevant details about the proposed facility.

Requirements: Hospital plans must include adequate facilities such as laboratories, operating rooms, and sufficient bed space, among others.

Process: Applications for registration and licenses must comply with construction standards and regulations set by the licensing agency.

Condition for Issuance: Licenses and permits are issued post-inspection confirming compliance with the Act’s requirements. Annual renewals are required.

Grounds for Revocation:
- Repeated violations of the Act or its regulations.
- Failure to correct deficiencies noted by the licensing agency.

Rights of Licensees: Entities denied or whose licenses are revoked may request an administrative hearing to contest the decision.

Requirement: Separate licenses are necessary for hospitals or branches in different locations, not for buildings within the same compound.

Conditions: Licenses cannot be transferred; changes in ownership or location require notification and new applications.

Authority: The Bureau of Medical Services will create regulations to implement this Act, subject to approval by the Secretary of Health.

Classification Study: The licensing agency will develop a classification system based on hospital capabilities, size, and training status.

Fee Structure:
- Construction permit: ₱5
- Registration fee: ₱5
- Annual license fee: ₱10
Exemption: Government hospitals are exempt from these fees.

Consequences for Non-compliance: Establishing or operating a hospital without a license is a misdemeanor, punishable by fines ranging from ₱500 for first offenses to ₱1,000 for subsequent offenses, with daily operation without a license constituting additional offenses.

The Hospital Licensure Act establishes a regulatory framework for hospital licensure in the Philippines, ensuring that standards are met for the operation of both government and private hospitals.
The Bureau of Medical Services is tasked with oversight, including inspections, licensing, and enforcement of compliance with established standards.
Violations can lead to significant penalties, emphasizing the importance of adherence to the Act’s provisions.