HB 8299

House·20th Congress·Filed Mar 5, 2026

An Act Amending Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Republic Act 9439, Otherwise Known as an Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on the Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses

In plain language

The bill would ban hospitals and clinics from holding patients, their families, or newborns hostage over unpaid bills, and sets penalties for staff and facilities that do so.

HealthConsumer ProtectionPublic Order and Safety

Automated summary by BatasWatch. It may miss nuance — read the bill text before citing it.

Author · Representative

Ryan S. RectoReceipts →

Official sources

Similar in what they’d do, filed by any lawmaker.

HB 7442· Filed Jan 27, 2026
An Act Strengthening the Rights of Patients Against Hospital Detention on the Ground of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills and Medical Expenses and Providing Stiffer Penalties for Violations Therefor, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9439 Otherwise Known as �an Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses�
Pending with the Committee on HEALTH since 2026-02-02Rep. Jorge Daniel S. Bocobo
SB 1511· Filed Nov 12, 2025
Strengthening the Protection of Patients Against Hospital Detention
Pending second reading, special orderSen. Risa Hontiveros
HB 10923· Filed Aug 24, 2026
An Act Strengthening the Protection of Patients Against Hospital Detention on Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses and Providing Stiffer Penalties for Violations Thereof, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9439, Entitled “an Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses”
Measure recommitted on 2026-09-01Rep. Salvador A. Pleyto +52
SB 217· Filed Jul 7, 2025
Amending R.a.no. 9439 (Detention of Patients and Cadavers in Hospitals)
Consolidated/substituted in the committee reportSen. Risa Hontiveros
HB 11396· Filed Sep 21, 2026
An Act Strengthening the Protection of Patients Against Detention for Nonpayment of Hospital Bills and Medical Expenses, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9439
Pending with the Committee on HEALTH since 2026-09-22Rep. Atty. Jennifer "Karen" A. Lagbas

Spot something wrong?

HB08299 · Sources: BatasWatch