MANILA: The government has warned hospitals that turning away emergency patients unable to pay deposits was an offence punishable by imprisonment.
According to reports in the Manila Times, the palace issued the warning after a person died recently when several hospitals turned her away.
One hospital allegedly asked for a P30,000 (RM2,500) deposit.
The Republic Act 10932, signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, strengthened the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.
A palace spokesman said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra assured him the incident involving the patient would be investigated.
Under the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, it is unlawful for any hospital official, medical practitioner or employee "to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient".
The violation is punishable with six months to two years of imprisonment, or P100,000 (RM17,000) to P300,000 (RM25,000) fine.
Earlier this month, Duterte warned hospitals that they would face suspension if they refuse admission to critically ill patients amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The president made the statement after a patient in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, was refused admission by six hospitals.
The same warning was issued by Senator Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros on Monday.
"Hospitals must comply with the law and must not withhold live-saving medical treatment from persons who need it the most or face legal penalties for doing so," Hontiveros said.
Her warning was prompted by reports of emergency patients who died after they were turned away by hospitals because they could not pay an initial deposit or fee.
"The ongoing pandemic is not an excuse for hospitals to commit abuses and deny emergency medical care to those who have less in life," Hontiveros said.