Expats - Immigration Laws - Senior Citizens

I wonder how many U.S. citizens would become expat's if they could use some form of government medical care abroad?  All the talk about Obama Care and cost of maintaining our senior citizen population and that the system is going bankrupt has any of our intelligent politicians ask this question?

First off the senior protection programs are going broke because our intelligent politicians stole from the fund to finance projects that would get them reelected. They not only mismanaged the fund they ROBBED the fund.

They are robbing the younger generation by borrowing money to finance projects in hopes it will guarantee them a lifetime job in government. Sadly some have even found a way to enrich themselves while service in government - they are corrupt!

I have spend more than a decade in the Philippines and have cost the United States Government NOTHING!  I also have paid on average $2500 a quarter Income Tax in the United States  for NOTHING!

I am now in bad health and not able to return to the United States. I am home-bound and need a caregiver. Thus far, I have been able to manage on my extra income from investments that will end shortly and my only income will be Social Security. What happens after the extra income ceases is a mystery to me.

What would it have cost the United States Government if I would have remained in the United States?  My medicine in a Third World country cost over $900 a month which I pay for.  What would that cost have been to the Social Security System in the United States $10,000 a month or more?  What about the cost of about two hospitalizations a year that run about $1000 each time.  The hospital expenses would be ten thousand plus yearly in the United States.  Again it cost the United States Government NOTHING.

Now I am in a situation since I am not married to a Philippine citizens I must leave the country every three years for twenty-four hours and then return. I am unable to meet those requirements.  I am in the process of trying to get some type of exception and praying it goes through or in two months I face a real problem.

You mean the United States Government could not establish some countries as places where Medicare or OBAMACARE could be used. In the Philippines there could be limited private hospitals and doctors allowed to except United States Government elderly insurance in Cebu, Manila and Davao. It would only take limited personnel in the Embassy to monitor these programs and prevent corruption.  The money saved the United States Government could probably be a billion dollars a year if done around the world.

I ADVISE ANYONE CONSIDERING BECOMING AN EXPAT TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU CAN NO LONGER TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY.  THE IMMIGRATION LAWS ARE CRITICAL AND YOU MUST CONSIDER THEM FOR ONE DAY YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE AND RETURN TO SATISFY IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS.

I do not know why countries like the Philippines have actively not pursued these benefits for it would help their government and the United States Government and those that chose to be expat's.

Most American's consider expat's as some kind of traitor or deserve what they get for living abroad without thinking that most chose to live abroad because they can no longer maintain their lifestyle in the United States because of politicians and the laws they pass without considering the repercussions.

Quite frankly, I do not desire to receive handouts from food ministries because I cannot afford medical care, utilities, food, clothing, etc. in the United States. EXPAT'S DO THE UNITED STATES CITIZENS LIVING AT HOME A FAVOR - WE LEAVE MORE HANDOUTS FOR THEM THAT ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE THE CHANCE ABROAD.

President Duterte says President Elect Trump is his friend.  If that is so why doesn't he approach President Elect Trump with this idea. I bet he would be speaking to the DEAF!

One thing President Duterte could do would be influence the Philippine politicians to change Immigration Laws immediately and not demand people to leave the country as long as they meet all other requirement for Immigration.  NOT EVEN THE UNITED STATES DOES THAT.  President Duterte talks abut fairness in Immigration Laws in the United States then why doesn't he make Philippine Immigration Laws fair to SENIOR CITIZEN EXPAT'S who can no longer travel and do not want to marry a Philippine citizens because they are already married or like me took vows of celibacy. Mr. President Duterte your predecessors and you plus your men and women in Congress and Senate have talked about attracting Medical Tourism and Senior Expats then why don't you do something to really attract them to the Philippines!

For those that believe this is a matter for my Church please keep in mind that I am RETIRED from my Church and do not want them dictating my life any longer nor do I want their handouts. I have always paid my way and have taken care of myself and I want to continue to do so until I die.

****I just learned from Immigration today (3/15/17) if you get dementia or alzheimer's and are not married to a Filipino you can be deported regardless of how much money you have in the bank even if you have a power of attorney designating someone to take care of you and have access to your funds.  You cannot qualify for one of the resident visa regardless of what size bond you put up if you are over 55 and do not have a health insurance policy that is valid in the Philippines and can pass a physical by a doctor they designate.  The doctor has to certify you are in good health and can take care of yourself if not married to a Filipino. I do not want to leave the Philippines, but if I knew what I know now it certainly would have influenced my decision to spend the remainder of my life in the Philippines.