Philippines Medicare Portability Campaign Launched in the U.S. Congress

Washington DC – Filipino American community leaders hailed the recent launching of the “Philippines Medicare Portability Study Act” campaign in congress that could pave the way for elderly seniors to comfortably retire in their hometowns with American healthcare coverage.

The portability feasibility bill, House Resolution 7442, was introduced in February by Guam’s U.S. Delegate James Moylan (R). He said, “Our office is committed to setting the path to allow for Medicare portability, to allow those who retire … and seek to relocate to the Philippines to be able to access Medicare.” Northern Marianas Del. Gregorio Sablan (D) was also an original cosponsor.

If the bill is enacted into law, it would direct the Comptroller General’s Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a feasibility study and to assess the effects of expanding traditional Medicare A and B coverage as well as private Advantage (Part C) insurance plans that would reimburse certain Philippine hospitals and accredited doctors there for treating American beneficiaries on a long term basis.

Filipino American immigrant professionals are retiring at a rate of 100 per day. They are part of the daily “tsunami” of 10,000 baby boomers who reach 65. Under the law, they can take their Social Security pensions anywhere in the world. However, the law does not provide them long-term Medicare coverage overseas.

Over the past decade, major Filipino American organizations have supported the Medicare portability campaign. They are: National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) led Mariela Fletcher; Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) led Gloria Beriones RN; Association of Philippine Physicians of America (APPA) led by Dr. Rommel Rivera MD; American Coalition for Filipino Veterans led by Franco Arcebal; Bicol National Association of America (BNAA) led Tere Seggerman; Philippines Medical Society of Greater Philadelphia led by Dr. Aida Rivera; U.S. Filipinos for Good Governance (USFGG) led by Loida Nicolas-Lewis; Filipina Women’s Network in Washington DC by Dr. Bambi Lorica, and others.

For background, visit: www.usmedicareph.org and https://www.payingforseniorcare. com/medicare-advantage/foreign-travel-coverage

“Thumbs Up!” (L to R) US Medicare Philippines advocates Eric Lachica, Apollo Inserto RN consult Guam Congressman James Moylan with their colleague Capt. Domingo Tucay PN ret. in Washington DC on May 6, 2024.

The Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey led by Tess Medina (center standing) supports the “Bringing Medicare Home” campaign. File photo August 20, 2022 Fiesta in America NJ.