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Bill_N

Mar 4, 2003, 9:27 AM

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Medicare Reform - Ex Pats in Mexico

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I have read many times in these Fora that Medicare Ins. does not cover US citizens living outside of the US and it has also been stated that changes in these rules were under consideration.

I am wondering whether it would be worthwhile, since Medicare is again being discussed within the context of reforming it, to mount a "Letters to Senators & Representatives" campaign stating support for adding this bit of reform to the Medicare system as they consider changes?

Does anyone know the status of "Medicare Covering Ex-pats" and whether any changes are actively being considered to broaden the coverage? And, secondly, does anyone think it would be worthwhile to bring this issue to the attention of our Representatives in Washington?

Personally I am not that big on "political activism" but seems that broadening the Medicare program to cover retirees who choose to live in another country might be worth the effort.

For anyone interested, you can look up your Senators and Reps contact info at the following locations:

House of Reps = http://www.house.gov/

Senate = http://www.senate.gov/

Regards

Bill Newell

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jennifer rose

Mar 4, 2003, 9:43 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1709 views)

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Re: [Bill_N] Medicare Reform - Ex Pats in Mexico

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ACA (American Citizens Abroad) prepared a position paper on that issue in 1995. http://www.aca.ch/ppmedic.htm

Around 1998, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, IIRC, conducted studies in Tijuana, Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende about the feasibility of extending Medicare benefits to beneficiaries living in Mexico, and a symposium was held to discuss the findings.

Bill_N

Mar 4, 2003, 9:56 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1625 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Medicare Reform - Ex Pats in Mexico

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For what it's worth here is an email message I just sent to my two Senators and Representative from NYS. Yes, Hilary is one of my Senators. No snide comments from the peanut gallery. :-)

Anyone interested may feel free to use wording similar in any message they may wish to send to their respective Reps.

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Dear Senator Clinton:

As the Senate and the House consider reform to Medicare I would like you to support Prescription Drug Coverage and broadening the coverage of Medicare to retired Americans age 65 or older living abroad. As you may or may not be aware the Medicare system does not cover US Citizens living in other countries. I believe this is unfair. Many older Americans will choose to live in other countries to broaden their cultural experience or because they may have family that need their assistance. The fact that they are living in another country should not affect their eligibility for Medicare.

I would appreciate hearing your views on these matters and hope you will support these two initiatives as our government considers reforms to the Medicare system.

Thanks for your consideration,

William J. Newell

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PeggyS

Mar 4, 2003, 11:01 PM

Post #4 of 7 (1552 views)

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Re: [Bill_N] Medicare Reform - Ex Pats in Mexico

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If I live in a foreign country, no longer own property in the United States, and can no longer vote in local or state elections, why would a representative or senator give a hoot what I think about anything? I can't vote for him/her...........
What state senator or rep would I contact? One in Florida, from where I moved to Mexico, or in Massachusetts where I lived when my children grew up, or New York where I was born and first voted?
The only politician with whom I am in regular contact is a flying buddy, and I know he feels the same about this issue as well as others we have discussed, including moving his family to Mexico from Texas when his terms in Washington are finished.

Bill_N

Mar 5, 2003, 1:28 AM

Post #5 of 7 (1545 views)

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Re: [PeggyS] Medicare Reform - Ex Pats in Mexico

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Peggy,

Just because you move to Mexico, you don't give up your US Citizenship or your right to vote. You will still be a US citizen. I'm pretty sure you can vote if you wish by absentee ballot in Federal elections anyway. Check out the website given earlier by Jennifer Rose. It is devoted to US citizens living abroad.

Maybe others who are already living in Mexico can shed some light on this. Do any of the readers of this board still vote in local, state and federal elections in the US and how is that accomplished.

You are probably right that a "state senator" would not much care about your opinion if you are not living in his/her state but your senator in Washington will still care as long as you can vote by absentee ballot and if you have not moved to Mexico already they may care even more.

In an earlier post I gave websites where you can easily locate your senators and representative at the federal level to write a letter or send an email.

Regards

Bill Newell

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Georgia

Mar 5, 2003, 2:02 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1509 views)

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Re: [Peggy] UOCAVA of 1986 (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act)

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U.S. citizens living abroad may vote in national elections (senators, representatives, president, etc) under the above cited act. The last state you were domiciled in prior to leaving the country is the state in which you file your absentee ballot. So, if you were registered to vote in Alabama prior to moving to Mexico, you would continue to vote for Alabama Senators and Representatives when you vote in national elections every two years.

Uncle Donnie

Mar 6, 2003, 4:24 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1447 views)

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Re: [Georgia] UOCAVA of 1986 (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act)

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Georgia is correct!

Look at these sites for more info: www.democratsabroad.com or www.republicansabroad.com. The Federal Voting Assistance website at www.fvap.gov is where you can find info about your individual state races and regulations for participating.

Canadians can look on www.elections.ca; click on "English" and then "International."

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