CFO and Fil-Am Groups Advocate for Medicare Portability in the Philippines
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas is advocating for the portability of US Medicare and Medicaid benefits in the Philippines. This initiative aims to encourage more Filipino-American retirees to return, benefiting both economies. A bipartisan bill supporting this proposal is being considered in the US Congress, and advocates highlight its potential to alleviate healthcare costs while stimulating the Philippine economy.
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is advocating for the portability of US Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Filipinos residing in the Philippines. In a recent briefing, CFO Secretary Dante Ang II highlighted that this initiative would not only incentivize Filipino-American retirees to return to the Philippines but also benefit both nations’ economies. Ang expressed, “We want the Filipinos overseas to consider returning home. At the CFO, we want to reverse the narrative from brain drain to brain gain.”
The Medicare portability proposal could lead to a significant decrease in US Medicare expenses and simultaneously enhance the economic landscape of the Philippines. Ang noted that facilitating healthcare access for Filipino-American citizens would spearhead a potential economic stimulus. Eric Lachica, from the advocacy group US Medicare Philippines Inc., stated that the initiative is gaining momentum in the US Congress with bipartisan support.
Lachica emphasized that several Congress members are backing the bipartisan bill, known as the Philippines Medicare Portability Study Act (H.R. 7442). He referenced data indicating that over 35,000 American seniors received their Social Security payments in the Philippines as of July 2022, highlighting increasing interest in retiring there. If approved, Medicare portability could draw in more Filipino-Americans seeking to retire in the Philippines, reducing healthcare costs for them while stimulating the local economy.
Lachica personally plans to retire in Dumaguete, expressing the desire of many elderly Filipino-Americans to return to their roots. He remarked, “Our problem is that under US law, Medicare law, if we lose our US residency, we might be US citizens, but if we stay more than six months, our Medicare coverage gets cut.” The need to amend US law to facilitate long-term coverage for these retirees is paramount.
Philippine Health Secretary Ted Herbosa affirmed that this campaign aligns with the government’s strategy to counter the brain drain effect, as it encourages the return of highly skilled healthcare professionals. He stated, “Some of our nurses that left in the 70s are also aging, so they come home… they can still teach.” Additionally, retired Filipino-American doctors are contributing through pro-bono work, further supporting the government’s Universal Healthcare agenda.
Lachica mentioned that the proposed policy could significantly relieve financial pressure on the US healthcare system amidst rising costs and federal budget cuts. By allowing Medicare portability in the Philippines, taxpayers could save substantial amounts on healthcare expenses. The CFO believes this initiative could also position the Philippines as a leading medical tourism destination while offering Filipino-American retirees a viable and cost-effective healthcare alternative.
The push for Medicare portability to the Philippines, led by the CFO and supported by Filipino-American advocacy groups, seeks to facilitate the return of retirees to the country. This initiative aims to benefit both the US and Philippine economies by reducing healthcare costs and enhancing local medical resources. The collaboration between multiple stakeholders indicates a promising shift towards addressing the challenges posed by brain drain and the growing demand for affordable healthcare options for retirees.
Original Source: www.pna.gov.ph