A widower’s anguish: Wife's remains detained over P1.2M hospital debt in Biñan, Laguna

• A widower was prevented from burying his wife for eight months due to an unpaid hospital bill of P1.2 million, sparking a legal battle

• The Department of Health intervened, citing two laws that prohibit hospitals from detaining patients' remains over financial obligations

• The hospital released the remains after the DOH's intervention and a promissory note was signed, allowing the man to finally give his wife a proper burial

• This story highlights the plight of families burdened by overwhelming medical debt and the crucial legal protections that prevent hospitals from detaining the deceased

A man’s heart-wrenching struggle to give his wife a proper burial was compounded by an insurmountable financial obstacle: a staggering hospital bill.

Ted Coronado, a tricycle driver, was left in emotional turmoil after being unable to claim his late wife, Michelle’s, remains from a hospital in Biñan, Laguna.

Michelle passed away in January, but her body was held for nearly eight months due to an outstanding balance of over P1.2 million.

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Michelle's medical expenses for her battle with lupus had initially accumulated to P1.8 million. Through persistent efforts and assistance from various government agencies, Ted managed to reduce the debt.

However, even with the remaining amount at P1.2 million, the cost was far beyond his means as a tricycle driver.

“Ginagawa ko lahat para makapagpahinga na siya nang maayos,” Ted shared tearfully. “Mabigat na po yung pakiramdam ko talaga kasi hindi na po nawawala sa isip ko, naapektuhan na rin yung buhay namin.”

For months, his wife's remains were held in the hospital, a grim testament to the burden of their unpaid medical bills.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the case was brought to the attention of the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH swiftly intervened, clarifying that the hospital’s actions were in violation of Philippine law. Specifically, the DOH cited Republic Act (RA) 4226, also known as the Hospital Licensure Act, and RA 9439, or the Anti-Hospital Detention Law.

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This legislation prohibits hospitals from detaining the bodies of deceased patients over unpaid bills.

The DOH reached out to the hospital administration, instructing them to release the remains to the family via a promissory note, or a formal agreement to repay the remaining balance.

The hospital stated its commitment to complying with the DOH's directive, adding that the delay was due to the lack of a signed promissory note from Ted's side.

With the DOH’s intervention, the hospital worked with the grieving family to resolve the issue. Ted was finally able to secure his wife’s remains, allowing him to give her a proper funeral and lay her to rest.

This case serves as a critical reminder of the legal protections available to families facing overwhelming medical debt and underscores the vital role of government oversight in upholding these rights.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.

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In other news, a chaotic scene unfolded at the Magsaysay fish market in Dagupan City as a man climbed a roof and engaged in a tense standoff with authorities. After refusing to come down despite pleas from police and a relative, the man unexpectedly jumped into the adjacent Pantal River. In a stroke of luck, he landed in a shallow area of the river, where he was quickly and safely retrieved by a waiting police rescue team. The man, who had a bag and cellphone with him, reportedly asked for his mother to pick him up, but his motives remain a mystery as police continue their investigation.

Still in other news, a tragic shooting inside a passenger van in Misamis Oriental has resulted in two deaths and one serious injury. The lone suspect, who was also a passenger, fled the scene and remains at large. The driver and another male passenger were killed after being shot in the chest, while a female passenger sustained injuries. Witness accounts suggest the driver and suspect may have known each other, as the suspect reportedly used the term 'angkol' (uncle) when addressing the driver.

Source: KAMI.com.gh