First trip to Puerto Vallarta. Looking for a Tour Guide and advice

[DaveNV]

To protect yourself from an attempt to retroactively nullify your marriage in the State in which your were married (I do not see Washington ever attempting this) have you looked into a formal marriage under a Mexican Law. Most marriage by citizens of the USA in Mexico are not valid in that the couple did not comply with all the Mexican Statutory requirements.

We were married in California. They recently ratified marriage equality into the state's constitution. So we'd still be married there, or in any state that recognized same sex marriage. The Consulate has said Mexico will accept our California Marriage Certificate. So we'd be good to go on that score.

As I explained to another Tugger, the issue isn't our marriage at a State level. It's our marriage at a Federal level. If the Supreme Court overturns marriage equality, the military would stop recognizing my husband as my spouse. He'd lose his military dependent status, and his military-provided health insurance. That's huge, because of his chronic illnesses.

It's terribly frustrating to have our Civil Rights become a political football, kicked back and forth by people who have no skin in the game. They aren't affected, and don't seem to care that others are greatly affected. They switch things on and off at a whim, with no regard to the real people who are deeply damaged by their actions.

Dave

 

[amycurl]

So true, so, very, very true…


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[b2bailey]

We were married in California. They recently ratified marriage equality into the state's constitution. So we'd still be married there, or in any state that recognized same sex marriage. The Consulate has said Mexico will accept our California Marriage Certificate. So we'd be good to go on that score.

As I explained to another Tugger, the issue isn't our marriage at a State level. It's our marriage at a Federal level. If the Supreme Court overturns marriage equality, the military would stop recognizing my husband as my spouse. He'd lose his military dependent status, and his military-provided health insurance. That's huge, because of his chronic illnesses.

It's terribly frustrating to have our Civil Rights become a political football, kicked back and forth by people who have no skin in the game. They aren't affected, and don't seem to care that others are greatly affected. They switch things on and off at a whim, with no regard to the real people who are deeply damaged by their actions.

Dave

I must be naive, but I can't imagine a scenario where your spouse could legally be denied his existing health benefits. (I'm thinking a grandfather clause would have to be a piece of any proposed changes.)

(Not denying there has been a whole lotta crazy going on.)

 

[DaveNV]

I must be naive, but I can't imagine a scenario where your spouse could legally be denied his existing health benefits. (I'm thinking a grandfather clause would have to be a piece of any proposed changes.)

(Not denying there has been a whole lotta crazy going on.)

I'd welcome any sort of grandfather clause, but I'm not holding my breath. It's the military connection. We were legally married for several years at the State level, before the Supreme Court declared marriage equality was the law of the land in 2015. That was when the military recognized him as my spouse. I am a military retiree. He was granted status as my dependent, and was enrolled in the military's health insurance. If same sex marriage is overturned, that military connection would also end. I have no false hopes that things wouldn't be erased, as if it had never existed.

Dave

 

[PigsDad]

I'd welcome any sort of grandfather clause, but I'm not holding my breath. It's the military connection. We were legally married for several years at the State level, before the Supreme Court declared marriage equality was the law of the land in 2015. That was when the military recognized him as my spouse. I am a military retiree. He was granted status as my dependent, and was enrolled in the military's health insurance. If same sex marriage is overturned, that military connection would also end. I have no false hopes that things wouldn't be erased, as if it had never existed.

Would Medicare be available for your husband if that were to happen? Or is that not an option?

Kurt

 

[DaveNV]

Would Medicare be available for your husband if that were to happen? Or is that not an option?

Kurt

He isn't eligible to sign up until later this year. We don't know whether it'll still be there when he's old enough.

 

[gpj555]

I hope some on can and will stop him. Best of luck to you and yours!

 

[geist1223]

If I remember correctly Medicare is not available to cover Medical Bills/Services incurred while residing outside of the United States and it's Territories. Though Medical costs are substantially less in Mexico than the USA.

 

[DaveNV]

If I remember correctly Medicare is not available to cover Medical Bills/Services incurred while residing outside of the United States and it's Territories. Though Medical costs are substantially less in Mexico than the USA.

That is true. My US-citizen friend who lives in Puerto Vallarta is currently experiencing serious health issues, and is traveling home to Florida to receive treatment under Medicare.

Routine medical care in Mexico is substantially cheaper than in the US, but serious issues need to be handled carefully. The doctors there are recommending my friend seek treatment in the USA.

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

That is true. My US-citizen friend who lives in Puerto Vallarta is currently experiencing serious health issues, and is traveling home to Florida to receive treatment under Medicare.

Routine medical care in Mexico is substantially cheaper than in the US, but serious issues need to be handled carefully. The doctors there are recommending my friend seek treatment in the USA.

Dave

Have you examined air-evacuation policies? I know they are sold for travelers, but how about ex-pats? One good thing about PV is the large number of flights northbound. And of course, there are Mexican carriers who regularly serve Tijuana where you can actually walk across a bridge into San Diego.

 

[DaveNV]

Have you examined air-evacuation policies? I know they are sold for travelers, but how about ex-pats? One good thing about PV is the large number of flights northbound. And of course, there are Mexican carriers who regularly serve Tijuana where you can actually walk across a bridge into San Diego.

I haven't explored things to that degree. I know you and I have previously discussed medical care in Central America. I'm told there are different types of medical care policies available in Mexico, which we'll address once we know for sure where we'll be living.

Dave

 

[DeniseM]

Dave - We have family members facing the same kinds of decisions. I wish the very best of luck to you and your partner.

 

[DaveNV]

Dave - We have family members facing the same kinds of decisions. I wish the very best of luck to you and your partner.

Thanks, Denise. I wish them good luck, as well. It's very stressful, not being able to plan ahead, when our entire life could be turned upside down. We're trying to prepare for worst-case situations, but everything is kind of a moving target. I find myself thinking, "Ok, we'll do this. But if this other thing happens, we'll do that. But then, if this additional other thing happens, we'll have to do this other thing instead." I'm usually up for challenges, but it's incredibly annoying when the rules keep changing.

Meanwhile, we plan ahead as well as we can, and we wait.

Dave