Americans Seeking Healthcare Abroad
Introduction
The United States has long been plagued by the high cost of healthcare, and it is a problem that continues to drive people to seek medical treatment abroad. The Washington Post recently shared the stories of three Americans who made the decision to move to other countries in order to escape crippling medical debt or lack of coverage. These individuals found themselves in a position where they were afraid to seek medical help in their home country, and so they made the bold decision to uproot their lives and seek care elsewhere.
Exploring Other Options
The first individual featured in the article is a 29-year-old from New York who moved to Italy and has found a sense of peace and security in the country's universal healthcare system. Another American, a 39-year-old from California, found that the South Korean healthcare system was more affordable and efficient than the one in the US. Lastly, a 32-year-old from Texas moved to France to escape the constant worry of being underinsured in her home country. These stories highlight the lengths that individuals are willing to go to in order to receive quality and affordable healthcare.
The Impact
The stories of these Americans are a clear indication of the broken state of healthcare in the United States. The high cost of medical treatment has left many individuals in a state of fear and desperation. These individuals were forced to make the difficult decision to leave their home
About the Organizations Mentioned
The Washington Post
## Overview The Washington Post is a leading American daily newspaper and digital news organization based in Washington, D.C. Known for its rigorous political reporting and investigative journalism, it is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most influential newspapers, alongside The New York Times[1][2]. The Post has a significant national readership, with millions of digital subscribers and a strong presence in the Washington metropolitan area, though its print circulation has declined in recent years[1]. ## History Founded in 1877, The Washington Post initially struggled financially and editorially until financier Eugene Meyer purchased it out of bankruptcy in 1933. Under Meyer and later his daughter Katharine Graham and her husband Phil Graham, the paper expanded its influence, acquiring rival publications and building a reputation for fearless journalism[1][2]. The Post’s most famous moment came in the 1970s, when reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncovered the Watergate scandal, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. This cemented the paper’s role as a watchdog for government accountability[1][2]. ## Key Achievements The Washington Post has won 78 Pulitzer Prizes as of 2025, the second-most of any U.S. publication[2]. Its reporting has been instrumental in major national stories, including the Pentagon Papers, secret NSA surveillance, and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol[2]. The paper is also one of the few American newspapers to maintain foreign bureaus, with international news hubs in London and Seoul[1]. ## Current Status In 2013, the Graham family sold The Washington Post to Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, for $250 million[1][2]. Under Bezos’s ownership, the paper has expanded its digital offerings and global reach. As of 2025, it has over 2.5 million digital subscribers, though print subscriptions have dipped below 100,000 for the first time in over half a
