Cross-Border Utilization of Health Care: Evidence from a Population-Based Study in South Texas

Abstract

The high prevalence of use of health care services in Mexico by Texas border residents is suggestive of unmet needs in health care on the U.S. side of the border. Addressing these unmet needs calls for a binational approach to improve the affordability, accessibility, and quality of health care in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Redressing the Limitations of the Affordable Care Act for Mexican Immigrants Through Bi-National Health Insurance: A Willingness to Pay Study in Los Angeles

“…Several demographic factors were significant predictors of willingness to pay, which can influence the development, and marketing of potential health insurance plans. Consistent with previous research, those without health insurance in the US were more willing to pay for BHI [10,11]. The employed population was more interested or willing to pay $50 for BHI.…”

“…The willingness to pay for a plan with private providers in Mexico was asked to assess respondents' strength of preferences, and the price was calculated similar to previous studies at double the cost of the package with public care ($100 USD) [11]. In addition, participants were asked to identity characteristics of the insurance plan that they would consider important in order to join, including: cost, need, distance, and quality of services.…”

“…To address some of the barriers to care in the US, some Mexican immigrants in the United States travel across the border to Mexico in order to utilize health services due to financial, cultural, and personal factors [9][10][11]. Previous research has found that approximately one million adults in California use medical, dental or prescription services in Mexico, of whom nearly half were Mexican immigrants living in the US [10].…”

Exploring the Association of Homicides in Northern Mexico and Healthcare Access for US Residents

“…[2][3][4] Multiple factors, including low-priced provider options and looser prescribing requirements in Mexico, dissatisfaction with US healthcare, and language and cultural preferences [5][6][7][8][9][10] cause US citizens and legal residents residing in the border region to cross into Mexico for medical treatment or to purchase pharmaceuticals. Between 11% and greater than 50% of the population in border regions cross from the US to Mexico to receive health care services.…”

“…Between 11% and greater than 50% of the population in border regions cross from the US to Mexico to receive health care services. [5][6][7][8][11][12] Crossing is more common among the uninsured, low-income households, the non-elderly, less acculturated immigrants, and those of Hispanic ethnicity. 1,5,11,[13][14] Recent developments in Mexico may affect patterns of border crossing, both generally and for healthcare.…”