clarkhoward.com: Clarchives clarkhoward - Clarchives November 08, 2005

clarkhoward.com: Clarchives clarkhoward - Clarchives November 08, 2005: "USA insurers offering treatment in Mexico
Clark has talked in the past about medical tourism and the trend of traveling to other countries for cheaper medical procedures. People often travel to India or Thailand for surgeries that cost about three quarters of the cost in America. People who do this often have their own private nurse 24 hours a day and the care is impeccable. As a result, insurance companies in California are setting up Mexican HMOs. For non-emergency care, residents of southern California can go to Mexico to see a doctor. The plans cost about half what it costs in the States. Now, if you had to go to the hospital for an emergency, you go to your nearby hospital. But for everything else, a plan that normally costs $600 would cost $300. Blue Shield of California has one called “Access Baja,” for example. Clark is all for people going to Mexico or Thailand for medical care and to Canada for their prescriptions. Eventually, it will force American companies to reduce its medical costs, which would benefit many citizens and keep the business in our country."