Can I apply for free health care before AOS?

[brandonbeth 2]

Just what we need more people thinking they deserve a free ride. If I was president id cancel all the welfare programs. I'm tired of studying my butt off pursuing three masters and having to support deadbeats. Do you not have any pride or honor

[ceadsearc 516]

The OP is not eligible for Medicaid. Getting it anyway would be illegal. They should not attempt that if it is in fact Medicaid regardless of if it is "cheaper."

As for someone thinking they are entitled to free medical care - I see no one saying that. The OP simply asked if it was an option since the hospital had brought it up. No need to ride around on your high horse just because you have a Master's degree.

[Adriene H 89]

The OP is not eligible for Medicaid. Getting it anyway would be illegal. They should not attempt that if it is in fact Medicaid regardless of if it is "cheaper."

As for someone thinking they are entitled to free medical care - I see no one saying that. The OP simply asked if it was an option since the hospital had brought it up. No need to ride around on your high horse just because you have a Master's degree.

He doesn't have a masters yet

[bjaminh 0]

Quite a diversity of responses here.

I'd like to reiterate here that this is not Medicaid. I was treated at Louisiana State University's hospital but I am not an LSU student.

On Monday I will call and attempt to track down the financial source, but again, when I casually inquired they said it was government funded.

**Does anyone know the best spot to look for criteria regarding not becoming a public charge?

Thanks!

Edited February 26, 2012 by bjaminh

[Adriene H 89]

Quite a diversity of responses here.

I'd like to reiterate here that this is not Medicaid. I was treated at Louisiana State University's hospital but I am not an LSU student.

On Monday I will call and attempt to track down the financial source, but again, when I casually inquired they said it was government funded.

**Does anyone know the best spot to look for criteria regarding not becoming a public charge?

Thanks!

What about contacting someone higher up in the LSU Health corporate offices?

They may have more of the funding and financial specifics in the offices.

http://www.lsuhn.com/contactus/

[Adriene H 89]

Also I found a link to an article/interview with the CEO

of LSU Health and about halfway down the page, it starts

talking about state funding and statutes and such.

"...have to provide free care to any Louisiana citizen who

lives at less than 200% Federal poverty level."

http://www.healthcarejournalbr.com/the-journal/hjbr-contents-index/one-on-one-articles

[bjaminh 0]

@Adriene H, Thank you so much!

[bjaminh 0]

I just got off the phone with USCIS and they say that in this case the decision is "completely up to the benefit granting agency". I was informed that LSU could, in theory, ask my wife to reimburse them for the funding they grant me, but by accepting this healthcare assistance I would not become a public charge.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I just got off the phone with USCIS and they say that in this case the decision is "completely up to the benefit granting agency". I was informed that LSU could, in theory, ask my wife to reimburse them for the funding they grant me, but by accepting this healthcare assistance I would not become a public charge.

If you're talking about the 1800 number then you can't trust it. It's called the "misinformation line" for a reason.

Also I found a link to an article/interview with the CEO

of LSU Health and about halfway down the page, it starts

talking about state funding and statutes and such.

"...have to provide free care to any Louisiana citizen who

lives at less than 200% Federal poverty level."

http://www.healthcarejournalbr.com/the-journal/hjbr-contents-index/one-on-one-articles

The operative word being "CITIZEN". Citizen is different to "resident" as in "person who resides in..."

Edited February 27, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[skylane 6]

This is America. There is NO FREE HEALTHCARE.

Correction sir, it isn't free anywhere. Someone is paying one way or another.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I just got off the phone with USCIS and they say that in this case the decision is "completely up to the benefit granting agency". I was informed that LSU could, in theory, ask my wife to reimburse them for the funding they grant me, but by accepting this healthcare assistance I would not become a public charge.

You wouldn't become a public charge unless you become primarily dependent on means tested public benefits. Temporary financial or medical assistance would not make you a public charge. Being in long term institutional care on the taxpayers dime, on the other hand, would make you a public charge.

Becoming a public charge should not be your primary worry. In fact, if you actually did become a public charge while you were a permanent resident then you could be deported. Any LPR who becomes a public charge is inadmissible, and therefore deportable.

Your primary concern should be the affidavit of support. Your spouse's contract with the US government serves as a guarantee that you won't use any means tested public benefits as long as the affidavit is enforceable, and acknowledges that the government can force him to reimburse them in the event that you do. You do not have to be deemed a public charge in order for the affidavit of support to be enforced. You only need to use a means tested public benefit - even one time.

[bjaminh 0]

You wouldn't become a public charge unless you become primarily dependent on means tested public benefits. Temporary financial or medical assistance would not make you a public charge. Being in long term institutional care on the taxpayers dime, on the other hand, would make you a public charge.

Becoming a public charge should not be your primary worry. In fact, if you actually did become a public charge while you were a permanent resident then you could be deported. Any LPR who becomes a public charge is inadmissible, and therefore deportable.

Your primary concern should be the affidavit of support. Your spouse's contract with the US government serves as a guarantee that you won't use any means tested public benefits as long as the affidavit is enforceable, and acknowledges that the government can force him to reimburse them in the event that you do. You do not have to be deemed a public charge in order for the affidavit of support to be enforced. You only need to use a means tested public benefit - even one time.

So aside from the government enforcing the affidavit and requiring my wife (the us citizen) to repay the benefits, is there any risk associated?