Repatriation Request: Marcelo Fabian Aldas

UNCLAS QUITO 000212 SENSITIVE SIPDIS CA/OCS/WHA FOR WILLIAM HURST M/COMP/FO/GAD/SAC CA/EX/RES CA/PPT/S/TC FMP/F/DFS/FO/AR FMP/FO/OAC/CACF FMP/FO/GAD/SAC HHS/ACF/ORR ISS/USA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC AFIN SSA SUBJECT: Repatriation Request: Marcelo Fabian Aldas ¶1. NAME AND DPOB: Marcelo Fabian Aldas ¶2. DPOB: September 23, 1943; Carchi, Ecuador ¶3. PASSPORT DATA: 016421071 issued on February 29, 2000; Full Validity ¶4. PERSONS TO CONTACT: Carmela Burbano, wife, 703-431-8090 ¶5. POST ACTION TO DATE: ConOff has extensively liaised with Mr. Aldas' sisters and wife, as well as with the hospital and clinic where Mr. Aldas has been treated, to monitor this elderly AmCit's medical condition. Due to long-standing disagreement between Aldas' relatives, ConOff and FBU representative have visited elder care facilities in the Quito area to assess suitability for Aldas. When no affordable alternative was encountered, ACS Quito reached out to OCS for further assistance locating a facility in the United States (preferably near his wife's residence in Northern Virginia). ConOff has continued attempts to resolve complications with the payment of Social Security benefits. ¶6. PRIVACY ACT AUTHORIZATION: Aldas was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2001 and is not in a mental state to give consent. At this time, next-of-kin Carmela Burbano has legal authority to make decisions on his behalf. ¶7. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: Post requests that the Department coordinate with HHS/ISS to locate an elder care facility that provides 24 hour care. Specific HHS assistance detailed in paragraph 9. ¶8. RETURN PLANS: As soon as possible. ¶9. HHS ASSISTANCE: U.S. Embassy in Quito requests the assistance of HHS for placement in a care facility in the United States near Mr. Aldas' family in the Northern Virginia Area. Upon location of a facility, the Embassy will coordinate his repatriation to the United States with medical escort. The Embassy also requests that HHS provide a medical escort between U.S. gateway (Miami) and final destination (Washington, DC area). Upon arrival in the U.S., Aldas and a medical escort should be met by ISS and taken to final destination. ¶10. DATE DEPARTED FROM U.S.: Unknown ¶11. LAST PLACE OF U.S. LEGAL RESIDENCE: Leesburg, VA ¶12. U.S. DESTINATION: Northern Virginia Area; Reston, Leesburg, or Fairfax, VA. ¶13. ACCOUNT NUMBERS: None. ¶13. OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Aldas' wife, Carmela Burbano, was previously the representative payee of his monthly Social Security payments totaling $915. However, due to an unapproved change in representative payees, Aldas' benefits are currently on hold and not being paid to anyone. Aldas also maintains Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Insurance. Aldas is currently receiving care at the Hermanas Hospitalarias del Sagrado CorazCHermanas Hospitalarias del Sagrado CorazC ¶24. A family feud between Aldas' siblings and his wife has been apparent throughout the Consulate's interaction with the interested parties. The siblings do not agree for their brother to be placed in a certain care facilities and have taken it upon themselves to relocate him to Clinica Guadalupe, but have not provided payment to the facility. ¶25. Aldas' wife, who has legal authority to make decisions on his behalf, has stated that she cannot pay out of pocket for the more expensive clinics. Medicare does not cover medical expenses in Ecuador. Burbano has expressed her desire for Aldas to be repatriated to the U.S. and placed in a care facility that can be covered by Social Security payment. However, on February 8, the Consular Section learned that Aldas' sister, Rosa Sheta, based in the U.S. was named representative payee. Since she is not physically located in the same country as Aldas, payments have been indefinitely suspended. HODGES