US Healthcare system question.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

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As the title states I have a question about the US healthcare system. 

My cousin moved to America when he finished his degree and gained work in Texas, he met a girl and they were married. After hi contract was finished they moved to California and he was self employed. He then started working for the city (not one of the larger ones) and is still emplyed by them. He has a son.

My question is; when he was over here last year he stated that he was still not a citizen (his wife and son are) and did not want to gain citizenship as he was quite happy going as he was - he pays all taxes etc. I queried whether he would recieve Medicare/Medicade when he retired? He was unable to give an answer.

Does anyone know whether he would or not and if not, what options are available?

 

As an afterthought, when they were over last year I asked his 18 year old son if he had a) had a beer yet or b) more importantly, bought a beer yet? Legal limit for alcohol is 18 in UK.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Drinking age when I grew up was 18 but now it's 21.  You can vote, go to war, possess (not own) a gun, drive, but not buy alcohol.  On the flip side studies have shown it was reduced alcohol related deaths.

I'm pretty sure if he has a green card and is paying medicare taxes along with other taxes then he should qualify for medicare when he turns 65.  

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Green card holders are eligible for both SS and Medicare if they worked and paid those taxes.  

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Green card holders are eligible for both SS and Medicare if they worked and paid those taxes.  

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Thank you for those answers guys, I was unsure and obviously a bit curious. He did state that he wanted to keep his UK citizenship although I think he could get dual citizenship. I think he just does not want to go through the hassle of exams and tests.

When I was working we would get a few Americans kids in because of the universities in our area and they ALWAYS went a bit overboard when they arrived first and realised that a) it was legal to drink at age 18 and b) the university students union had cheap alcohol on sale, along with lots of social events, dances etc.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
GrumpyRN said:

Thank you for those answers guys, I was unsure and obviously a bit curious. He did state that he wanted to keep his UK citizenship although I think he could get dual citizenship. I think he just does not want to go through the hassle of exams and tests.

When I was working we would get a few Americans kids in because of the universities in our area and they ALWAYS went a bit overboard when they arrived first and realised that a) it was legal to drink at age 18 and b) the university students union had cheap alcohol on sale, along with lots of social events, dances etc.

It's a largely disobeyed laws as college students find ways to drink and do drugs.  And they behave here pretty much as you described.  

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