The American Healthcare Crisis Is Worse Than You Thought!

It’s a devastating reality: many Americans are literally dying for healthcare – dying while they wait for it, or dying because they can’t afford it.

We often discuss the dire healthcare situation in the U.S. and compare it to other countries like Ecuador, where healthcare is both surprisingly better and cheaper.

For decades, Americans have been traveling abroad for medical care. The blossoming medical tourism industry is a direct reflection of the absurdities of the American healthcare system.

And we’re not only talking about elective or cosmetic procedures, but necessary medical and dental treatments as well.

Watch Our Video About Americans Dying for Healthcare

The Current State of U.S. Healthcare: Alarming Facts

Unfortunately, the U.S. healthcare system isn’t just expensive – it’s ineffective.

The United States is the unfortunate leader in healthcare costs globally, while simultaneously holding the worst outcomes among other high-income nations.

Recent studies conducted by The Commonwealth Fund reveal startling facts:

• The U.S. has the lowest life expectancy at birth among high-income countries.
• It has the highest death rates from avoidable or treatable conditions.
• The country has the highest maternal and infant mortality rates.
• It also has among the highest suicide rates; only South Korea is higher.
• The U.S. has the highest rate of people with multiple chronic conditions.
• The American obesity rate is nearly double the average of other high-income nations.

Disturbingly, a recent NPR report revealed that 38% of Americans are delaying medical treatments, doctor visits, and even routine dental and vision exams due to prohibitive costs. They also aren’t taking all their prescribed medications.

Insurance often falls short, with many people either uninsured or on high-deductible plans. Despite these plans costing $1,000 or more per month, they often don’t cover basic healthcare needs unless something catastrophic occurs.

Prescription drug prices in the U.S. are among the highest in the world. Some insurance plans don’t cover certain medications, making it extremely difficult for people to access necessary treatments.

Wait times for care are also unbearably long, with reports of six-month waits to see specialists – a delay that can prove disastrous.

The U.S. healthcare crisis is so severe that some people have left the U.S. permanently, seeking more affordable options abroad. That includes us!

See Also: The Real Reasons We Left the United States (and why we can’t move back)

The Solution: Medical Tourism

Medical tourism is becoming a popular option for many non-emergency treatments.

Countries like Mexico offer high-quality doctors and hospitals for a fraction of the cost.

For instance, our healthcare costs in Ecuador are substantially less. We have private health insurance that costs only $214 per month and covers both of us with a $100 deductible and a $15 copay.

It’s common for expats to pay out of pocket or self-insure because the costs in some countries are a fraction of those in the U.S.

You can also get global health insurance from a company like Insured Nomads, and most global plans often charge significantly less if you exclude the U.S. from your coverage.

Some countries even offer one-year medical visas, allowing you to stay for a year, save money, have an amazing experience, and take care of your health needs simultaneously. This makes it possible to combine your medical trip with a vacation, often for far less than the cost of treatment in the U.S.

However, it’s essential to note that not all aspects of medical tourism are rosy. Buying prescription drugs over the counter in countries like Mexico can pose potential risks. These drugs may not be regulated, could contain harmful substances like Fentanyl, or even be counterfeit.

While medical tourism is generally safe, it is crucial to research and take precautions.

See Also:

• Medical Tourism: Escape The USA Healthcare Scam!
• Our Ecuador Healthcare Experience: Cost & Quality of Service

The Hard Reality and the Potential Way Forward

The reality is harsh: the U.S. healthcare system is broken, and nothing significant is being done to address this. The fact that people are dying while waiting for healthcare, or because they can’t afford it, is a damning indictment of the current system.

If you’re in need of high-quality, affordable healthcare, consider medical tourism as an option. Check out resources detailing countries with better, cheaper healthcare than the U.S.

Let us know in the comments if you have a U.S. healthcare nightmare story.

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JP Stonestreet

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Hola todos! Welcome to my author bio page! Let's see. Where to begin... I grew up in the country on a lake outside a small Kansas farm town. As soon as I could, I got the hell outta there! Since then, I've lived and/or worked in Kansas City, Washington D.C., Denver, San Francisco, and Ecuador. I started and sold a dotcom, wrote a book about it, started a YouTube channel, and now I write a lot. Amelia and I have embraced the Unconventional Life and we want to help you do it, too!