Among chronic disease patients in the United States, emigration is establishing itself as a new survival strategy. The combination of high out-of-pocket costs and medical liabilities, which are difficult to manage even with insurance, and the lack of a universal healthcare safety net, has led to treatment costs threatening household economics. Experts noted that these structural problems are ultimately pushing Americans towards public healthcare systems abroad, revealing a phenomenon that is not merely a personal choice but reflects broader social inequality.
According to the Washington Post on the 17th (local time), Jennifer Sontag, who faced the burden of hundreds of thousands of dollars in treatment costs before brain surgery, eventually moved to Italy to continue Crohn's disease treatment through the national health insurance system. Jason Kim, originally from Texas, felt disillusioned with the medical system after undergoing emergency surgery as a teenager and receiving a $50,000 hospital bill, and he is currently receiving treatment in Korea at reasonable costs. Amy Willard, who has overcome cancer three times, also moved to France after her livelihood was threatened by insurance premiums and treatment costs in the U.S., and she regained stability thanks to private insurance and reasonable medical fees.
Experts analyze that this phenomenon is particularly pronounced among chronic disease patients, the middle class, and self-employed individuals who are in healthcare blind spots. Gerald Kominski, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health, pointed out that "emigration may provide a powerful motivation for low-income and middle-class Americans with chronic illnesses," and that "the United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world." In fact, more than 40% of Americans carry medical liabilities, and even with insurance, it is difficult to avoid hefty bills in emergency situations.
The United States faces structural limitations in that it has the most expensive healthcare costs among developed countries and lacks a comprehensive safety net for all citizens, which means that the shock of hospital bills can quickly lead to household bankruptcy. While high-income individuals can enjoy premium hospital services through high-end insurance, low-income individuals, small business employees, and freelancers are at risk of bankruptcy at any time. As a result, the fear of "losing a home if sick" is spreading throughout society, making emigration a realistic alternative.
Experts point out that the healthcare cost crisis has negative impacts that extend beyond individual treatment burdens and affect the overall competitiveness of American society. High healthcare costs inhibit labor mobility and entrepreneurship, and the absence of a social safety net diminishes quality of life. Some refer to this as a "quiet escape," warning that America's healthcare crisis exacerbates inequality and social polarization.