The Price of Health

Here's a letter to the editor of Escape From America magazine, an online (as far as I can tell) periodical that features articles of tourist spots around the world on topics of medical health, finances, and of course, how to have a good time.

According to author Jerry Draughon, health care in Mexico is cheap and clean, which he attributes to a great number of Mexican doctors being trained in the U.S. He also notes that doctors make house calls and "seem to really care about you as a person," citing personal examples of his and his friends' treatment in Mexico.

Instituto Medicina de Segura Social (IMSS), the standard health insurance offered by the government (this program is similar to the social security program in the U.S.), has medical and dental benefits, prescription medicines, and even your vision needs, all for the low low cost of US$399 per year, regardless of income, as long as you live in Mexico. Draughon compares that to his previous costs of US$6500 in the U.S. and is amazed! Why don't more people take advantage of this wonderful system? At US$8000 for a heart transplant, anyone can afford everything they need in terms of health care, right?

Here's where we hit a snag. I'm not contesting Draughon's fabulous picture of Mexican health care providers; I am almost certain that they are as wonderfully clean and professional as he describes. I am, however, questioning the price. Those are U.S. dollars, folks, not Mexican Pesos. Currently, US$1 is the same as MX$10 and some change. Considering that the average daily wage in Mexico is reported to be MX$48.70 (US$4.45), the average Mexican working for those wages can't afford MX$4,360 (US$399) per year for health care. The wages are even lower if you're unfortunate enough to work in a Maquiladora, which little more than a U.S. run assembly plant that avoids tarrifs because it's on Mexican soil. (Thank you, NAFTA! [Wikipedia definition] [Research Study on NAFTA's effects on Mexico])

According to Corp Watch, a must-see the average wage for a Mexican who works in a Maquiladora is MX$37.15 (US$3.40) per day. Considering that Mexicans have an estimated MX$590 (US$59) worth of fixed weekly expenses (including food, utilities, rent, and transporation) it's no wonder that they can't afford health care, even when their health care system is "so wonderful."

Conclusion:
MX$4,360 (US$399) is a loco price to pay for health care, on both ends of the spectrum. Health care in Mexico is clean and professional, and insanely affordable... if you're paying in U.S. dollars, that is. If you're a poor Mexican citizen, well, you'd have more luck getting health care if you sneak across the border for handouts from the U.S. government, in my opinion.

Image Credits:
1. health.jpg is credited to the article, "The Fragmented Status Quo of US Health Care" from the online periodical, The Consumerist.
2. yasmin.jpg was part of an article titled "Physician assistant faculty and students assist during SIMS trip" from the Loma Linda University News center and was published with the following caption: "Yasmin Bracho, PAC (top left), faculty member, physician assistant program, department of cardiopulmonary sciences, School of Allied Health Professions, and Charinda Charoen (bottom right), PA student, help provide health care to an Enseñada, Mexico, family."

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If you click on ANY of the links here, please try Corp Watch first.
Contact me at sagansjagger AT gmail DOT com.