FAS Medicare Update

Health Benefits for Freely Associated States (FAS) Citizens Living in the United States

Under the Compacts of Free Association between the United States and the Freely Associated States (FAS), citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau may generally be admitted to the United States, its territories, and possessions to lawfully engage in occupations and establish residence as a non-immigrant without a visa.  There are no commitments in the Compacts to provide medical care for FAS citizens who take advantage of this Compact benefit.

Availability of medical care for nonimmigrant residents in the United States depends on federal and state laws and regulations.  Each of the U.S. states, territories, and possessions has its own system for determining availability of those services. 

Recent news coverage of the State of Hawaii’s decision to restrict certain advanced healthcare services to citizens of the FAS has included misstatements about Compact obligations to provide such care.  We urge the FAS governments to inform their citizens that, though their citizens may decide to take advantage of Compact rights to enter the United States, the availability of health services is not guaranteed and will depend on federal, state, and local law.