Pre-existing chronic health conditions, including Diabetes, Obesity, and heart diseases, can soon become the reason behind the denial of your Visas and green cards to the US. The new rules will ben an extension to the century old “ Public Charge” rule, it will impact international students, particularly those on F-1 visas.
Extension of the Public Charge Rule
A new directive that has been circulated among embassies and consular offices worldwide instructs visa officers to flag applicants whose medical conditions might require “hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of care.”
Conditions that have been cited include cardiovascular issues, respiratory issues, cancers, diabetes, metabolic and neurological disorders, and mental health conditions.
The directive has also singled out Obesity as it may lead to complications such as asthma, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
Earlier on, health screenings in the visa process focused on communicable diseases such as tuberculosis. The new directive showcases a shift, forming a link between the health of the patienet to the elligibility for entry.
F-1 students in focus
The new directive is primarily intended for those seeking permanent residence. Under teh new framework, Visa officers will be instructed to assess whether applicants have the financial capacity to cover long-term medical expenses–
“over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalisation at government expense.”
Ambiguities persist about how chronic health conditions will be evaluated alongside proof of financial sufficiency. Universities and patients often ensure that tuition and living expenses are fully covered,but the potential for health-related disqualification adds another hurdle for visa seekers.
Cost of Diabetes care for US Visa residents
One of the major drawbacks for the visa seekers would be ensure that they have the financial capabilities to cover long term medical expenses “over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalisation at government expense.”- such stipulations make thevisa process even more complex as calculating such a number and then ensuring that applicants can fullfill it would be a difficult task.
As mentioned in a National Library of Medicine report by Xiaohui Zhuo 1, Ping Zhang, Thomas J Hoerger, Lifetime direct medical costs of treating type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications were as follows -2013
Results: In men diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at ages 25-44 years, 45-54 years, 55-64 years, and ≥ 65 years, the lifetime direct medical costs of treating type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications were $124,700, $106,200, $84,000, and $54,700, respectively. In women, the costs were $130,800, $110,400, $85,500, and $56,600, respectively. The age-gender weighted average of the lifetime medical costs was $85,200, of which 53% was due to treating diabetic complications. The cost of managing macrovascular complications accounted for 57% of the total complication cost. Conclusions: Over the lifetime, type 2 diabetes imposes a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems. Effective interventions that prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications might result in substantial long-term savings in healthcare costs.
Adjusted for inflation from 2013 to 2025, the price will rise to $173,862.82 for 35-44 males, $148,069.21, and $117,116.89 for patients between 55-64 – adjusted with this inflation adjuster-
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