"Hilary Hodge suffers from severe allergic asthma. But in 2012, she saw hope in biologic medication. There was one catch: She was living in the United States at the time, and biologics would cost her $36,000 a year. A few years later, she moved to Algiers, France, with her husband. Across the pond, that same medical treatment was 12 times cheaper."
"Hodge has had asthma since childhood, but instead of improving as many asthmatics do, she was part of the 10% whose respiratory condition worsens. By age 32, her inhaler no longer provided relief. Her chronic condition became "a big struggle," she told USA TODAY. Although she qualified for a biologic when living in Chicago, the injectable medication was highly expensive at the time."
"They had only planned to stay for a few years, but they got pregnant with their son and bought their own house. "It just sort of all of a sudden turned a lot more permanent, I guess we're here," Hodge said. "But honestly, health care is a big part of why." Rising costs and access to health care are top of mind for many Americans, with nearly half of adults worried they can't afford medication or health-related expenses this year,"
Many Americans are relocating abroad to secure more affordable and comprehensive health care. Cost differences for treatments such as biologic medications can be dramatic, with an example of a US price of $36,000 versus about $3,000 annually in France. Some patients move after learning foreign systems reduce out-of-pocket burdens. A subset of patients with worsening chronic conditions seek injectable biologics when domestic costs are prohibitive. Financial anxiety is widespread: nearly half of adults report concern about affording medication or health-related expenses. Additional motivations for relocation include stricter food standards and perceived safer environments.
Read at USA TODAY
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