Mark Villar Says Patients and the Remains of the Dead Should Never Be Held Hostage by Hospitals
MARK VILLAR – A proposed measure backed by Senator Mark Villar seeks to put an end to the practice of keeping patients, newborns, and even the remains of deceased individuals in hospitals over unpaid bills.
Senator Mark Villar has expressed support for the proposed Enhanced Anti-Hospital Detention Bill, which seeks to impose stronger penalties on hospitals and clinics that refuse to release patients because they are unable to settle their medical bills.
Villar emphasized that patients should not be humiliated or detained simply because they cannot immediately pay their hospital expenses, noting that they have already endured significant physical and emotional hardship during their confinement.
“Hindi dapat maging kulungan ang mga ospital at clinic para sa ating mga kababayang hindi agad makabayad ng hospital bills,” the senator said.
Under the proposed measure, protection would not only cover patients but also extend to their family members, relatives, and caregivers. The bill aims to ensure that financial difficulties do not result in patients being unnecessarily prevented from returning home after receiving medical treatment.
The proposed legislation also seeks to increase penalties for hospitals and clinics that refuse to release newborn babies or the remains of deceased patients because of unpaid or insufficient hospital bills. Villar argued that families should not be forced to endure additional suffering simply because they cannot immediately settle medical expenses.
The measure also prohibits the so-called “palit-ulo scheme,” a practice in which a patient is allowed to leave the hospital only if a family member or relative stays behind in their place. Villar described the practice as inhumane, stressing that financial difficulties should not result in another person being effectively detained.
The senator clarified, however, that the proposed law would not erase a patient’s outstanding hospital debt. Hospitals and clinics would still have the right to collect unpaid medical bills through appropriate means.
The proposal seeks to strike a balance between protecting patients from detention over unpaid bills and preserving the ability of medical institutions to recover legitimate expenses. For Villar, the inability to pay immediately should not deprive patients and their families of dignity, freedom, and compassion during already difficult circumstances.
The proposed Enhanced Anti-Hospital Detention Bill underscores the principle that medical care should not become a reason for patients, their loved ones, or the remains of deceased individuals to be held against their will because of financial hardship.
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