Patients' Right to Leave Despite Financial Inability
- Patients who have recovered and intend to leave, yet cannot fully or partially pay their hospital bills, must be permitted to leave.
- Upon leaving, the patient has the right to demand their medical certificate and other relevant papers.
- The patient must execute a promissory note covering unpaid obligations.
- The promissory note must be secured by either a mortgage or a co-maker who is jointly and severally liable.
- For deceased patients, death certificates and necessary documents for interment must be released upon request by surviving relatives.
- Patients who stayed in private rooms are excluded from the protections under this Act.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Hospital officers or employees who violate this law face:
- Fines from Twenty Thousand Pesos (₱20,000) up to Fifty Thousand Pesos (₱50,000), or
- Imprisonment from one month up to six months, or
- Both fine and imprisonment as decided by the court.
Rule-Making Authority
- The Department of Health is mandated to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act effectively.
Severability Clause
- Any provision declared void or unconstitutional will not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.
Repealing Clause
- All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two national newspapers of general circulation.