Inilunsad sa Quezon City nitong Sabado, Hunyo 24, ang pinakaunang Right to Care Card sa bansa na naglalayon umanong magbigay ng pahintulot sa LGBTQ+ partners na magdesisyon sa larangan ng kalusugan at medikal para sa kanilang mga kasintahan.

Ayon kay Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, bahagi ang pagsulong ng naturang inisiyatibo ng pakikiisa at paglaban ng lungsod “tungo sa isang inklusibo, pantay-pantay, at puno ng respeto na komunidad para sa bawat mamamayan anuman ang kasarian.”

“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,” ani Belmonte.

“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,” dagdag niya.

Kasama umano sa isinusulong ng Right to Care Card ang “right to provide care during hospitalization”, “right to sign any waiver or document” at “right to decision-making.”

"In the eyes of the law, queer couples are not recognized as next-of-kin during medical emergencies. This makes them powerless in making important medical decisions for their partners," saad ng Right to Care Card sa isang Twitter post.

"The Right to Care Card is a Special Power of Attorney card that authorizes queer partners to make medical decisions for the one they love, as though you held the power of a civil marriage contract. Soon, this will be available for queer couples living in Quezon City," dagdag nito.

Una umanong ipatutupad ng Quezon City Government ang programang Right to Care sa mga ospital ng pamahalaang lungsod tulad ng Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, at Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital.

Pagkatapos nito, magsasagawa ang pamahalaang lungsod ng mga oryentasyon at magseselyo ng partnership sa mga pampubliko o pribadong ospital na nakabase sa Quezon City.

“The card includes a QR code that will direct the user to an actual and notarized digital version of the SPA document,” saad ng Quezon City Government.

“The provisions of the SPA will indicate the privileges authorized by the cardholders for their respective partners such as choosing 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; as well as 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,” dagdag nito.

Pinasalamatan naman ng lokal na pamahalaan ang creative communications agency na MullenLowe TREYNA na naging katuwang umano nila at naglapit ng naturang inisiyatibo para sa LGBTQ+ community.