The other American dream

Border traffic isn’t all one way

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Readers' comments



Yes exactly - health care in Mexico is much cheaper than in the United States, so if American citizens had the option of using Medicare in Mexico, they could get better treatment for less money. Importantly, this could apply to Americans living in the US as well as just the ones based in Mexico.

The happy Canadian visitor.

I was in a Mexican hospital for 4 1/2 days & received the best treatment I had ever gotten. My husband had some excellent dental work done in San Miguel de Allende when we visited last year. We will return to that lovely artist's colony (SMA) to hopefully buy a little piece of heaven before the numbers swell again, while real estate is still reasonable. It's where life is good & one feels like royalty. I noticed that things were looking up for both Americans & Canadians in SMA (central Mexico). Loved it!

sevillano in reply to guest-iowjwlw

Their private clinics and some hospitals do provide an excellent service at a significant lower cost compared to the US. Same for medicines e.g., the very same Desowen (an ointment used for treating Rosacea), in exactly the same bottle (not a generic), from the same lab in Houston costs about USD12 at any pharmacy in Mexico over the counter, without prescription. In the US, by prescription only, it costs today USD 287. Or about C$35 in Canada. Don't ask me why the price differences.

Robert v Praze in reply to guest-iowjwlw

I read it like it is cheaper to treat the elderly American expats in Mexico than for them to drive to the US for similar treatment. Healthcare costs in the US are the highest in the world, so if the expats can use cheaper Mexican hospitals, this will also be a saving on Medicare expenses.


Great article, but I was wondering if anyone could help me understand how US taxpayers will save if Americans in Mexico can use Medicare...I understand it would be less expensive for the patient, who no longer has to travel all the way back to the states for healthcare, but I just dont see how the US government would spend less on providing the same services south of the border...because Mexican healthcare is cheaper, perhaps?

Dutch Vandervort

I live in San Miguel de Allende. The weather is exceptional, the food is Mexican and international, and universally good. The local people are friendly and appreciate the jobs and cash flow we bring to their community. Housing is very affordable as are the Mexican taxes. Medical care is a small fraction of the cost in the US. I am here to stay!

I travel extensively by bus and with my own car to all corners of Mexico and I can only tell you I feel safer her than I did in California. The local Mexican, Canadian and US communities are embracing, receptive and supportive. I am by the way, 70 years old, partially crippled and less intimidating than a orthopedically challenged panda bear.

Come see for yourselves!

Dutch Vandervort



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