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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – Health care bills are what Sen. Risa Hontiveros promised to push in the second regular session of the 17th Congress.
Citing numerous documented violations, Hontiveros said she will file a measure aimed at strengthening Republic Act (RA) 9439, or the Anti-Hospital Detention Law.
RA 9439 prohibits health facilities from detaining patients who have fully or partially recovered due to nonpayment, in full or in part, of hospital bills.
“Ang ospital ay lugar ng gamutan, hindi kulungan,” she said.
Hontiveros, Senate health committee vice chairwoman, is also expected to file Senate Bill No. 214, or the “Bibong BHW Act.”
The bill provides for a training program for all BHWs, or barangay health workers, to ensure their clinical skills stay effective over the years.
BHWs shall also be entitled to a monthly allowance with additional incentives covered under the Magna Carta for Health Workers, including benefits under Pag-IBIG, Government Service Insurance System, and PhilHealth.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros supports the passage of Senate Bill No. 1145, or the “Healthy Bulilit Act,” which promotes infant nutrition in the first 1,000 days.
According to the senator, various health experts identified the child’s first 1,000 days as a “golden window” for development, with effects ranging from the potential to prevent stunted growth and the opportunity to improve cognitive development.
The senator would also propose Senate Bill No. 1326, or the “Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act,” and the Anti-Discrimination Bill.
Senate Bill No. 1326 penalizes gender-based harassment – wolf-whistling, cat-calling leering, homophobic and transphobic slurs, and persistent requests for a woman’s name and contact details – in public spaces.
The Anti-Discrimination Bill, on the other hand, criminalizes discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community – specifically restriction of access to public health services, employment and education on the basis of one’s gender and sexual orientation./PN
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