It feels like it’s been a long time since the last time I posted anything here and yet, it hasn’t even been two weeks… I need to chill out…
I was in Dominican Republic all of last week.
Although I normally tell people that I go to Dominican Republic to visit my mother (which is true), I think it’s time I came clean and told people the actual truth. It’s important that I do.
I practice medical tourism.
For the past couple of years I’ve been struggling with certain health issues. Specifically, fertility issues as a result of what’s been called a “pre-existing condition”. Sadly, my health insurance doesn’t feel it’s necessary to cover anything that would qualify as above average care and the stuff that they do cover, comes with a mess of co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles that would drive the sanest person crazy and eventually broke.
So I travel.
A few years ago, I signed up for the best insurance coverage available in the Dominican Republic at a cost of US$100 per month (a fraction of the cost of my policy in the US), and have received the same level of care (if not better) than I receive here. Every doctor I have seen has been US trained and is Board certified , every test has been performed with state of the art technology, and every hospital stay has given me privacy and peace. All without deductibles or co-pays.
It is unfortunate that I have to leave the country to receive the care I need in an affordable fashion, but sadly this is the reality of the times we live in. Even my doctors here validate my decision and have done a great job working in tandem with my foreign doctors.
You are probably asking yourself why I’m telling you this…
In the next couple of days, the Supreme Court is going to decide whether or not to uphold Obamacare. I have heard some people’s opinions in regards to the healthcare law and though I don’t agree with everyone, I think this is one of those situations where every viewpoint is valid. However, we need to look at the facts.
1. Everyone will need healthcare at some point in time.
2. Health care coverage is very costly.
3. Nobody should have to go deep into debt over illness or injury.
Obamacare may not be perfect, but I think it is a step in the right direction. The Declaration of Independence states that among other things, we have the right to life.
The best way to safeguard this life is by having the ability to take care of our health.
Medical tourism has saved me over US$20,000 in the past few years and I’m glad that for me that is a viable option and one I will continue to use for as long as I need it. But I am not everyone.
I hope, the Supreme Court will consider that healthcare coverage should be a right (even if it’s by mandate). I also hope that healthcare reform and “preventive care” will begin expanding in its definition to include the government’s role in healthy eating and food education. (Though based on what happened to the GM labeling amendment to the Farm Bill, I seriously doubt it).
Still Annush. 
Sorry …….. Dear but #Obamacare must go………he cant give special waivers to the Unions and his buddies.. and force the rest of us to buy into …… must be struck down by the high court or I’m moving to DR !!!!!!! #Mitt2012
Let’s see if you’re still saying that when someone you love gets cancer and is dropped by their insurance company and can’t afford chemo or surgery and dies as a result when they were diagnosed at a point when they had a 95% survival rate.
I completely agree with you. I’m pregnant right now and my husband’s job wants to give him individual insurance instead of group because there are only 2 employees. The result? I’m denied for OB GYN coverage. We’ve been lucky that my medicaid from the miscarriage has covered over so far but we make way too much at this point to qualify for government help and not enough to pay out of pocket. We were seriously considering going to Ecuador to have the baby, but the logistics and the idea of spending three months in his family’s house make it impossible. Hopefully he can convince his boss to switch us to group before it’s too late.
We are the only first world country that allows its people to DIE instead of care for them with socialized medicine. My best friend died of an incurable but completely manageable disease because every private insurance company turned her down for her pre-existing condition and she couldn’t afford to quit her job and let her children starve. Even third world countries don’t do that to their people. Obamacare has already saved hundreds of people’s lives… I can’t wait for the day when it extends to all of us and our country starts to put our lives over the profits of big insurance corporations.
Congrats on the baby! Like you, I look forward to the day when people are more important than profit…
This is crazy, and I completely understand you Annush. We’re also considering the Dominican option as it’s closest than Spain where we DO have full public coverage (awesome quality) like every single working citizen. Since we just moved to the U.S. we’re still hunting for insurance here and I really find it offensive! the outrageous amounts for the premiums, co-insurance, co-payments, co-whatever they charge. I just don’t get it. Why can’t they look up to Canada? why not have a mixed system where you’re public covered but you have the choice of not using it and get private attention if needed/wanted?
I’m still on the search and would probably consult extensively with an insurance broker (self-employed people have the worst situation in these cases)
Good luck on your search…i’m privately insured and the cost of my policy is beyond offensive. yearly, it costs almost as much as the current value of my car lol…if you are considering it already, I find the Dominican idea is a good idea even if only as a supplement…
Melinda……………#Obamacare must go along with #Obama…back to chicago !!!!! Period……No more goverment hand out..plzzzz…………BTW i pay for my own health insurance…
Kids be nice! And @cookiemonster if you want, you can pay for my health insurance too! 🙂