Quezon City launches 'care card' for LGBTQIA+ couples

The Quezon City government introduced its Right to Care Card on Saturday to allow LGBTQIA+ couples to make medical decisions on behalf of their partners.

The card was launched as the city hosted the Pride Festival, which served as a platform for the LGBTQIA+ community to amplify calls for equal rights.

In a statement, the city government said the Right to Care Card includes a QR code that will direct the user to the notarized digital version of the Special Power of Attorney (SPA) document. 

The provisions of the SPA indicate the following privileges: 

• choose a particular physician or health care provider, including admission or discharge from any hospital, nursing home, or residential care facility;
• receive, process, and/or disclose their partner’s personal information including medical records;
• allow or deny medical treatments, procedures, or any other medical concerns related to their partner’s medical condition; 
• take any other action pertaining to the authority granted by the Right to Care Card such as processing documents and waivers, and pursuing dispute resolution processes.

“There have been reports of LGBTQIA+ community members who were prohibited from making crucial decisions when their partners were admitted to intensive care units of hospitals,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said, noting that hospitals and medical facilities nationwide only recognize decisions from legal spouses or next of kin. 

“We want all of our residents, regardless of sexual orientation, to be with their partners in critical moments, and we are taking this important step to assure the rainbow community that they are cared for, recognized and valued in Quezon City,” she added.

The local government said the program will be initially implemented in three hospitals in the city: Novaliches District Hospital, Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, and Quezon City General Hospital.

''Soon after, the city government will conduct orientations and seal partnerships with public or private Quezon City-based hospitals,'' it said. 

Interested LGBTQIA+ couples can visit the Quezon City Gender and Development (GAD) Office, where they will be asked to fill out forms, including the SPA contract, which they must also get notarized.

The Quezon City Legal Team will verify the information provided after receiving forms that have been properly notarized.

The QC GAD Office will issue physical cards with unique QR codes to access the digital version of the validated SPA contract after it has been verified.

Registered individuals will be required to attend seminars in order to fully understand the rights and privileges that come with the card. —VBL, GMA Integrated News