Delegate Moylan meets with President Marcos to discuss visa waiver and Medicare portability

At the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Delegate James Moylan joined a few of his colleagues on Friday evening in Washington, D.C., to discuss a variety of issues of importance between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

Moylan raised the issues on adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, and the potential of Medicare Portability for U.S. citizens opting to relocate to the Philippines.

President Marcos expressed his support for both issues and indicated that the Delegate's office should continue to work with the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs on the matter.

As stated in a previous release, Moylan's office has worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and with the President of the Philippines Senate, Migz Zubiri, on the visa waiver proposal.

Late last year, at the request of the Delegate, President Zubiri introduced Senate Resolution 766 to support the endeavor.

In October of last year, the DHS responded to a letter submitted by Delegate Moylan, advising that the preliminary process of the visa waiver process was initiated, and that their office was in communication with the DFA to provide a plan to address overstays and other issues.

This process is still ongoing, and Moylan's office continues to monitor the progress.

Moylan said, “It was an honor to meet with President Marcos and to get the opportunity to discuss issues key for Guam's relationship with the Philippines. The visa waiver process is ongoing, and this is truly an effort of so many individuals, primarily Governor Carl Gutierrez, who has been a staunch advocate of the issue. I would also like to thank Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Senator Jesse Lujan for their continued advocacy. While the process is still ongoing and will take some time, we will continue to press the issue with the DFA and DHS. Guam has historically done a great job with addressing overstay issues, but unfortunately, the overstay problems for Philippine citizens entering the U.S. over the years have been DHS's primary concern. The DFA Secretary was also at the dinner event, and our office will continue to enhance communication as the wheels are in motion.”

Regarding Medicare Portability, Moylan introduced legislation recently to request a study on the cost and savings analysis if U.S. Citizens were to access greater Medicare coverage in the Philippines.