Press Release
March 2, 2017

MENTAL HEALTH AND ANTI-HOSPITAL DEPOSIT BILLS
ADVANCE TO SENATE PLENARY

Despite the recent Senate reorganization, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros, who recently moved to the minority, sponsored on Wednesday two major health-related legislative bills for second reading.

Hontiveros said that the advances she made in pushing for the passage of her bills proved that her legislative work is unhampered by the recent developments affecting the Senate.

"The accusation that we hampered the Senate's work because of our position on key issues is pure hogwash. Our legislative work speaks for itself. And now, despite being in the minority, this will not stop me from championing health legislations", Hontiveros remarked.

Hontiveros sponsored Senate Bill No. 1190 or the Philippine Mental Health Act. The proposed measure aims to integrate mental health services and programs in the public health system. She said that the Philippines is one of the few countries in the world without a comprehensive mental health law.

The Senator also sponsored Senate Bill No. 216 otherwise known as "The Amendments to the Anti-Hospital Deposit Act" that seeks heavier penalties on hospitals that continue to demand any deposit or other form of advance payment, as a prerequisite for admission or medical treatment of an emergency patient.

"I hope these bills will greatly contribute in the realization of universal healthcare for the people. I hope my colleagues can cross party lines for the passage of these important measures," Hontiveros concluded.

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