What US Health Care Reform could mean to US Citizens living in the DR

[windeguy]

It appears that US Health Care reform is likely to go ahead. What I saw as having little chance to happen 6 months ago now seems to have about a 50/50 chance to happen. Despite not being passed yet, I wanted to start a discussion on the implications for US Citizens living in the DR. This is likely to have an impact on ALL US citizens regardless of where they live.

Here is what I am finding about likely scenarios:

All US Citizens and qualified family members will be required to have a government qualified health care plan in the US. I do not expect that Expatriates will be excluded from this. We are not a factor in their equations.

If you do not join a qualified plan, you will pay a special tax at a rate of about 2.5% of your gross income annually or there could be severe penalties.

Qualified plans will cost somewhere between 15 and 20 percent of your gross income for coverage you would receive in the US.

[windeguy]

House Committee on Ways & Means - Republican

Betsy McCaughey: What the Pelosi Health Care Bill Really Says - WSJ.com

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by windeguy

I do not expect that Expatriates will be excluded from this. We are not a factor in their equations.

Have you written as per ACA suggestions? Sample letter here:
ACA American Citizens Abroad - Health care tax for Americans abroad?

ACA American Citizens Abroad - Medicare in Mexico?

http://www.aca.ch/joomla/images/pdfs/torose.pdf

[mountainannie]

more just would be a bill that simply says if you are planning to move abroad and wish a refund on the money that you paid into Medicare, fill out these forms.. then wait.. then fill out these other forms... then wait... by the time they got through with it most of the people would be dead..

also, of course, it would take away funding from their sisters, and cousins, and uncles, etc etc--

EVERYONE on Medicare is receiving more than they paid into it.

Lifetime Social Security and Medicare Benefits

and note that that table was made a long time ago before the HUGE boondoggle for the drug industry in the drugs for seniors.. in which Medicare can not even negotiate for a better rate...

costs have skyrocketed

[Chirimoya]

We've tried this several times and it has always ended up in a discussion of the merits/evils of public health systems in general.

Please, if this thread is to remain open, keep strictly to the topic as set out by the OP - What US Health Care Reform could mean to US Citizens living in the DR.

Bolding mine.

[windeguy]

Originally Posted by Lambada

Have you written as per ACA suggestions? Sample letter here:
ACA American Citizens Abroad - Health care tax for Americans abroad?

ACA American Citizens Abroad - Medicare in Mexico?

http://www.aca.ch/joomla/images/pdfs/torose.pdf

Correct that this is not about the merits of such health care, it is to point out the consequences of what looks like will be happening soon.

I don't have a Senator or Congressman to whom to write. I live in the DR and do not have a residence in the US. To have a Senator or Congressman that represents me, I would have to have a home state and I do not have one. Expats matter very little to those in power and are not likely to have any say in this. It will likely be taxation without representation nor benefit.

I am simply trying to point out that those that don't sign up for this if it goes as planned will risk major penalties.

[bienamor]

Originally Posted by Windy

Correct that this is not about the merits of such health care, it is to point out the consequences of what looks like will be happening soon.

I don't have a Senator or Congressman to whom to write. I live in the DR and do not have a residence in the US. To have a Senator or Congressman that represents me, I would have to have a home state and I do not have one. Expats matter very little to those in power and are not likely to have any say in this. It will likely be taxation without representation nor benefit.

I am simply trying to point out that those that don't sign up for this if it goes as planned will risk major penalties.

Well if your retired and 65 or older then you will not be fined as your automatically enrolled in Medicare part A, and I would hope that its a qualified plan. Don't think they can mandate Part B or Part D coverage. And your Medicare Part A is not any use at this time outside the USA, PR, or Guam except under very special circumstances as was pointed out in another thread.

Not retired and like in your case, not sure how they find you, to levy the fine unless your filling IRS, as according to the bill they will be the ones in charge of ensuring that every one has qualified coverage.

[windeguy]

Regarding Medicare: I am not saying that this topic is completely unrelated to Medicare, but Medicare only applies to people 65 and over or those with special disabilities. As we have discovered from other threads, in order to be covered under Medicare you have to be treated in the US with rare exceptions. I see no problem in discussing the implications of the proposed health care plan those that do qualify for Medicare as well.

The current thread is primarily about what we as Expats under "normal" retirement age or not retired yet will have to do in order to not be subject to criminal charges or additional penalties.

[Bob K]

I wonder if an international plan such as clements (which uses Health one in the US) would qualify as a plan acceptable to the lords that be.

Bob K

[windeguy]

Originally Posted by Bob K

I wonder if an international plan such as clements (which uses Health one in the US) would qualify as a plan acceptable to the lords that be.

Bob K

While it makes perfect sense that such a plan could be accepted, I seriously doubt they are considering them to be a part of the accepted plans. It is a good question and will be a good point to watch as this unfolds.

What I expect to happen is that the International plans will modify their products so that they are accepted. Expect a dramatic increase in premiums for accepted plans.