Right to Care Bill Explained: Why It Matters to Modern Families
Families today don’t always fit into traditional boxes—and when it comes to healthcare decisions, that reality can create painful gaps
In 2023, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte introduced the Right to Care card, a local initiative that allowed queer couples to make medical decisions for their partners. Now, that idea is moving toward a national platform with a newly filed bill in the House of Representatives that could significantly change how families are recognized in medical settings.
House Bill No. 7068: Expanding the Right to Care
On Saturday, January 17, Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Representative Leila de Lima announced the filing of House Bill No. 7068, also known as the Right to Care Act.
At its core, the bill allows individuals to choose a trusted person—not just a legal spouse or next of kin—who can make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves.
If passed, this chosen healthcare proxy will be:
- Integrated into a person’s PhilHealth card
- Recorded in a Right to Care registry under the Department of Health
This system aims to make the designation clear, official, and easily accessible in emergencies—something many modern families urgently need.
Why the Bill Matters—Especially for Modern Families
In her Facebook post, De Lima explained that the measure is meant to address long-standing inequalities in healthcare access.
“This measure seeks to address health disparities rooted in social stigma and discrimination, and foster inclusivity for individuals of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), as well as solo parents, people in non-marital relationships, and other sectors,” she said.
She added, “Huwag nating dagdagan pa ang mga alalahanin at pasanin ng mga pasyente sa pagkakait ng karapatang ito na piliin ang makakatuwang nila sa pagpapasya para sa kanilang kalusugan o kalagayang medikal.”
Translated into everyday parenting terms: no one should have to fight for recognition—or explain their family—during a medical emergency.
Who This Helps
Currently, most hospitals in the Philippines only recognize legal spouses or immediate relatives when it comes to medical decisions. This leaves out:
- Long-term partners who aren’t married
- LGBTQIA+ families
- Solo parents who rely on chosen family
- Blended families and co-parents
- Adults estranged from their biological relatives
If passed, the Right to Care Act would give these families peace of mind, knowing that the person who knows them best—and has their trust—can speak for them when it matters most.
What Happens Next
De Lima noted that the bill draws from similar proposals by lawmakers, including Senator Risa Hontiveros and Representatives Percival Cendaña, Chel Diokno, Kaka Bag-ao, Javier Miguel Benitez, and others—signaling growing support for more inclusive family policies.
For parents navigating non-traditional family structures, this bill is worth watching. Because caring for our families doesn’t always follow old rules—and our laws are slowly beginning to catch up.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Right to Care Bill, also known as House Bill No. 7068, allows individuals to choose a trusted person who can make medical decisions for them if they are unable to do so—regardless of legal or biological relationship.
Instead of defaulting only to spouses or next of kin, patients can officially designate who knows them best and whom they trust most.
The bill was filed by Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Representative Leila de Lima at the House of Representatives. It builds on earlier proposals from lawmakers advocating for more inclusive healthcare and family policies.
Many families today don’t fit traditional definitions. Parents may be unmarried, part of blended families, or relying on chosen family for support.
Without legal recognition, loved ones can be excluded from critical medical decisions during emergencies. The Right to Care Bill helps close that gap—so families don’t have to explain or defend their relationships in moments of crisis.
The Right to Care Act would especially benefit:
LGBTQIA+ families
Long-term couples who aren’t married
Solo parents relying on chosen family
Blended families and co-parents
Adults estranged from biological relatives
For many, it offers peace of mind that the right person will be heard when it matters most.
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