MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting United States Medicare portability which seeks to allow US retirees and veterans to utilize their health benefits for medical services in the Philippines. CFO Secretary Dante Ang II said on Tuesday that the reaffirmation was made during a recent hybrid meeting with Filipino-American leaders who have been extensively engaged in the lobbying efforts at the US Congress. Ang expressed deep appreciation on the Filipino-American leaders, including Eric Lachica of US Medicare PH, for their efforts to promote the welfare and well-being of overseas Filipinos particularly the US veterans and retirees. Ang assured Lachica that the CFO would assist through government coordination and discussions with relevant stakeholders. During the same hybrid meeting, Lachica provided the CFO chief with an update on the proposed Medicare Portability Bill. While the US House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee did not endorse the measure during its Sept. 4, 2025 session, Lachica reported that despite the current US government budget challenges, efforts to secure Senate sponsorship for the bill remained active. He, however, cautioned that if subsidies for the Affordable Care Act were not extended by 2026, an estimated 22 million Americans under 65 could lose health insurance coverage, potentially leading to increased healthcare costs. To bolster advocacy for the measure, Lachica believed there was a need to reactivate the Philippine working group on Medicare Portability, last convened in 2014, to enhance inter-agency coordination. The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism’s Medical Tourism Program, and the Private Sector Advisory Council’s healthcare sector, led by Paolo Borromeo of AC Health, must also be part of the working group, Lachica said. He likewise suggested collaborating with Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez to address Medicare portability during meetings with White House officials.