A BILL filed in the House of Representatives seeks to establish a national typology for university teaching hospitals and strengthen the integration of medical education with the country’s health service delivery system.

House Bill No. 6688 was introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

The proposed measure aims to institutionalize a National Typology of University Teaching Hospitals, strengthen medical and health professions education through integrated academic health systems, and support the training of physicians who are prepared to serve under the Universal Health Care (UHC) system.

The bill’s explanatory note said the country continues to face challenges in producing sufficient numbers of well-trained, community-responsive and service-oriented health professionals.

With the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, the demand for adequately prepared health workers, particularly physicians, has increased, underscoring the need for a medical education system closely integrated with actual health service delivery.

Under the proposal, medical education would be anchored on an integrated academic-service ecosystem involving hospitals, primary care facilities and community-based networks operating within Health Care Provider Networks mandated under the UHC law.

The proponents said such integration would expose future health professionals to real-world service settings, particularly in primary care and community health, where national health needs are considered most urgent.

The bill also seeks to rationalize the expansion of medical schools in state universities and colleges in line with Republic Act No. 11509, or the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act.

While expanding medical education opportunities is seen as important in addressing the country’s physician shortage, the measure emphasizes that such expansion should be supported by adequate and appropriate clinical training platforms.

The proposed National Typology of University Teaching Hospitals would establish clear standards for training environments and strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and the health service delivery system.

The measure’s proponents said these reforms are intended to promote safe, equitable, efficient and UHC-aligned medical education across the country while safeguarding educational quality and patient safety.