Kinalampag ni Senador Richard Gordon ang Department of Health (DOH) para imbestigahan ang diumano’y labis na paniningil ng isang private hospital sa Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
“I write in connection with reports that I have received with regard to unjust practices committed by Unihealth – Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center, a privately owned and controlled hospital operating in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone,” nakasaad sa sulat ni Gordon kay Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
“The hospital is clearly violating laws, rules, and regulations. I trust that your good office shall give the above matters the usual prompt attention,” ayon pa kay Gordon.
Base sa kamag-anak ng isang pasyente, sinabi ni Gordon na ang naturang ospital ay naniningil ng halos P6,000 per unit ng dugo habang P1,000 per unit naman kung ang isang pasyente ay may dalawang donor, na aabot sa kabuuang P2,000 kada unit ng dugo.
Naniningil din umano ang Baypointe ng P2,980 para sa admission sa intensive care unit (ICU) at P1,650 para sa board at lodging sa ICU.
Ikinabahala rin ni Gordon ang labis na paniningil sa mga gamot tulad ng drug retails na ibinebenta ng P1,600 ng Baypointe Hospital na dapat ay P700 lamang.
Ayon kay Gordon, malinaw na may overcharging practices ang ospital at nilalabag ang batas at mga patakaran ng DOH.
“I find the above practices of overcharging its patients unjust, considering that the hospital enjoys tax perks because it operates in the SBFZ, such as duty-free importations of raw materials, capital and equipment and paying 5% tax on Gross Income Earned instead of the usual corporate tax rates, among others,” sabi ni Gordon.