Philippines’ Right to Care Bill Offers Hope to Queer Couples
On the night Bea’s girlfriend fell into a coma, the nurse turned to her and said, “Ma’am, hindi po kayo family. We need her parents’ consent.” Despite sharing seven years of her life with her partner, Bea found herself suddenly sidelined in the very place where love should hold the most weight, the hospital room.
Stories like Bea’s emphasize the significance of the proposed Right to Care Act. Introduced in the House of Representatives as House Bill No. 2786 by Rep. Percival Cendaña of the Akbayan party-list and other lawmakers, this bill would allow individuals to officially designate their partner as their healthcare proxy, irrespective of marital or legal status, ensuring they can make vital medical decisions during emergencies[Inquirer.net]. Although it might appear as a modest, technical change on paper, for queer couples, it represents a monumental step toward recognition.
From Exclusion to Recognition
Currently, hospitals in our predominantly Catholic nation often defer to the “closest blood relative”, parents, siblings, or legal spouses, even when it is the partner who has stood by through every medical appointment and sleepless night. Without marriage equality or a national partnership law, queer partners are frequently left out of crucial decisions and sometimes even denied updates on their loved one’s health[Eco-Business].
The Right to Care Act aims to change this narrative by embedding the concept of a “healthcare proxy” into PhilHealth. Under this proposal, any PhilHealth member can appoint a healthcare agent, whose authority is clearly noted in forms, ID cards, and the PhilHealth database, ensuring their decisions take precedence in medical matters, while explicitly stating this does not alter inheritance or succession rights[Inquirer.net].
Small Steps with Significant Implications
This concept might seem familiar because queer communities have already been laying the groundwork. In 2023, Quezon City introduced its trailblazing Right to Care card, allowing resident queer couples, through a Special Power of Attorney, to consent to or decline treatments, tests, and procedures for their partners, a groundbreaking move in the country[Quezon City Government]. Subsequently, San Juan City enacted its own ordinance, mandating that healthcare providers honor healthcare proxies issued to LGBTQIA+ couples and other eligible individuals[Manila Bulletin].
These local initiatives, born from years of advocacy and painful experiences of queer partners being marginalized during the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises, have fueled a national movement. Advocates and media outlets see the bill as an initial stride toward acknowledging same-sex partnerships in law, not yet marriage, but a legal affirmation that our relationships are genuine, with real consequences when life hangs in the balance[Interaksyon].
A Chance for Recognition, Not the End of the Journey
It’s clear: the Right to Care Act won’t erase years of discrimination, nor will it substitute for the stalled SOGIE Equality Bill or the ongoing pursuit of full marriage equality. Yet, it achieves something powerful: it affirms to queer couples, “You deserve to be present. You deserve a say. You are not expendable.”
For couples like Bea and her partner, this is more than just a policy adjustment. It’s a fighting chance, to love not only boldly during Pride but also legally and tenderly at the bedside, when it truly counts.
