Americans Kidnapped in Mexico

By: Dan Cooper

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The recent kidnapping of four Americans in a Mexican border city has highlighted a common practice of traveling to other countries for medical care. Many Americans are leaving their country to buy prescription drugs, undergo dental procedures, plastic surgery, and cancer treatments, as they are either not available in the US or are too expensive. The four Americans who were abducted were reportedly traveling to Mexico for cosmetic surgery. This practice of medical tourism is not new and has been on the rise for years.

According to Lydia Gan, an economist at Carolina University del Norte in Pembroke, who studies this practice, many people who use this practice the most are those without health insurance or those whose plans make them pay thousands of dollars before coverage begins. Even large employers sometimes send their insured employees abroad for hip or knee replacements, as well as bariatric surgeries. Cost is a huge factor, as care in countries like Mexico can be more than 50% cheaper than in the United States.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says millions of residents travel annually abroad for medical care. Researcher Arturo Bustamante estimates that before COVID-19, about 400,000 people traveled from the United States to Mexico each year to receive care. The number decreased due to the pandemic but quickly recovered, primarily driven by Mexican immigrants and Latino residents in the United States. Non-Latino patients cross the southern border primarily to get dental work, buy prescription drugs or plastic surgery, or receive some cancer treatments that are not covered in the United States.

To reduce the risks of receiving care in another country, patients residing in the United States should pay attention to the travel advisories that the US government publishes about their intended destinations. They should also research quality of care before focusing on prices, ensuring that they go with the “best of the best.” It is recommended to know where their potential doctor received training and look for their accreditations or certifications.

While medical tourism may be a cost-effective option for many Americans, there are risks involved. Patients may have a hard time suing their doctor or hospital in Mexico if something goes wrong, warns Arturo Bustamante, professor of Health Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. It is crucial to navigate the system properly and ensure that patients have access to the best care possible while reducing risks as much as possible.

https://www.viveusa.mx/noticias/estadounidenses-secuestrados-viajaron-a-mexico-para-una-cirugia-estetica/?outputType=amp

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