The CFO and Filipino-American groups are advocating for Medicare portability to the Philippines to encourage retirees to return home, thereby boosting the local economy. Health officials and advocates stress the benefits of this initiative, noting its potential to reduce US healthcare costs and enhance the quality of care in the Philippines. Legislative support is increasing for this cause, reflecting a significant opportunity for Filipino-Americans to retire comfortably in their homeland.
In a collaborative effort, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is advocating for the portability of US Medicare and Medicaid benefits to be available in the Philippines. Joined by the Department of Health, the Philippine Retirement Authority, and various Filipino-American advocacy groups, CFO Secretary Dante Ang II highlighted the potential mutual benefits of this initiative, appealing to Filipino-American retirees to consider returning home, which would consequently boost the local economy.
Secretary Ang emphasized that enabling Medicare portability not only serves as an economic stimulus for the Philippines but also provides a solution for US healthcare costs, positing it as advantageous for both nations. Allowing Filipino-American citizens to access healthcare services in the Philippines would reduce US Medicare expenses while promoting economic growth in the Philippines.
Eric Lachica, a lead advocate with US Medicare Philippines Inc., pointed to supportive movements within the US Congress, including the introduction of a bipartisan bill known as H.R. 7442, or the Philippines Medicare Portability Study Act. With potential sponsors from both Guam and Virginia, this legislative momentum indicates increasing interest in the proposed policy to facilitate Medicare benefits in the Philippines.
Lachica shared statistics from the US Social Security Administration revealing that as of July 2022, over 35,000 American seniors were receiving Social Security payments in the Philippines. If Medicare portability becomes a reality, it could incentivize more Filipino-Americans to retire in the Philippines, helping them reduce healthcare costs while contributing positively to the local economy.
A personal anecdote from Lachica highlights his intention to retire in Dumaguete, emphasizing the desire shared by many Filipino-Americans to return to their roots. He expressed excitement over this initiative, noting the want among elderly healthcare professionals to retire in the Philippines and the significant percentage of first-generation migrants from the 1960s and 1970s wanting to invest in their home country.
A notable challenge remains under existing US Medicare law, which cuts coverage for citizens who reside outside the US for over six months. Therefore, advocacy for altering this law is essential to ensure long-term Medicare portability for Filipino-Americans who wish to retire in the Philippines.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa endorsed the campaign, aligning it with the government’s broader objectives of addressing the brain drain issue. He identified the return of skilled Filipino healthcare professionals as beneficial, suggesting that these practitioners would greatly enhance the quality of medical services in the country through their experience and knowledge.
Secretary Herbosa remarked on the potential for retired Filipino-American healthcare workers to contribute to local communities, reinforcing the country’s Universal Healthcare agenda. The campaign may stimulate a significant return of these individuals, effectively reversing the previous trend of brain drain into a brain gain.
Additionally, Lachica highlighted that this policy could ease the financial burdens on the US healthcare system. With rapidly increasing healthcare costs and impending federal budget cuts, permitting Medicare portability in the Philippines may save American taxpayers significant medical expenses.
The CFO envisions this initiative as a transformative opportunity to position the Philippines as a leading medical tourism destination, offering affordable and quality healthcare options for Filipino-American retirees.
In summary, the initiative to allow Medicare and Medicaid benefits to be portable in the Philippines could have profound implications for both Filipino-American retirees and the local economy. Advocated by the CFO, this proposal not only aims to reverse the brain drain but also enhances the potential for mutual economic benefit between the United States and the Philippines. Through legislative support and community advocacy, there exists significant potential for shaping a more favorable environment for the return of Filipino-American citizens, ultimately benefiting the healthcare system and economic landscape of the Philippines.
Original Source: www.pna.gov.ph
