If the great weather, lower cost of living, and improved quality of life can't convince you to move to Latin America, try this (and it may be the most compelling reason of all): affordable, quality health care.  All the politicians in the U.S. are talking about it.  Upcoming elections may hinge on it.  It's something everyone needs and deserves.  Lest you think "affordable, quality health care" is an oxymoron, read on…  Nearly 47 million U.S. citizens--16% of the population--are without health insurance.  That's according to data compiled in 2005, so I suspect that number must be much higher now, two years later and in the midst of an economic slump in the U.S.  Adding insult to injury, the average annual cost for a family health insurance policy in the U.S. is about $11,000.  And how much does the average family spend on medical care and services each year?  About $13,000, says the Kaiser foundation, an organization that tracks health care expenditures.  Imagine how much the average 50 or 60-year-old spends…  For those of us who are getting older and starting to think about the very real possibility that we'll be facing some sort of major medical issues in the coming years, none of this is good news.  Not only is the cost of insurance sky high, but so is the cost of medical care in the U.S.  Sure, there's Medicare, but it doesn't pay for assisted living centers or other long-term care if you should need it.  And yes, you can buy a long-term care insurance policy, but those aren't inexpensive…and if you already have a health condition, you may not be eligible.

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For those who don't want to (or can't afford to) spend that much, Mexico offers a government health plan, called Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). For about $300 per year, you get complete coverage, including prescription medications.  And yes, foreigners can obtain IMSS coverage.  The downside is that you can obtain service only at government hospitals and clinics--not at the better-equipped private hospitals.  Many foreigners in Mexico use IMSS as a major medical or catastrophic care fallback plan, but see private doctors and pay out-of-pocket for routine care.  An office visit to a private physician averages $40.  I spent $60 recently for a mammogram.  Quality?  My husband and I are overwhelmingly happy with the personal, top-notch care we have received in the six years we've been living in Latin America. 

There's good news, too, for those looking for long-term care.  As USA Today recently reported, a growing number of U.S. citizens are moving across the border to nursing homes in Mexico, where "the sun is bright and the living is cheap." 

Retirement homes in Mexico are a relatively new concept--Mexicans typically care for older family members in their own homes.  But Mexican business people are seeing opportunities in building assisted living facilities that cater to the expat.  Since both labor costs and health care costs are low in Mexico, a stay in an assisted living center here can cost one-fourth what it may cost in some areas of the U.S. 

The USA Today article looks at several facilities in and around Ajijic, in the Lake Chapala area.  This is a logical location for assisted-living facilities: There is a large expat population in the area; the climate is mild; and nearby Guadalajara is a major medical center for Mexico, ensuring availability of excellent doctors and nursing staff.  Plus, the international airport at Guadalajara is readily accessible for visiting family members from the U.S. 

The assisted-living "business" in Mexico is in its infancy, as I mentioned, and there are still some kinks to work out--for example, there is little regulation, and standards can vary…so it pays do to your homework.  But the owners and managers of these types of facilities are learning fast.  With millions of U.S. baby boomers heading into retirement, and with U.S. health insurance and health care costs continuing to climb, assisted-living and gerontology services for expat retirees are poised to be growth businesses in Mexico for decades to come. 

If you've been considering Mexico as a second-home or retirement destination, it's definitely time to take a serious look.  Mexico is rolling out the red carpet for you.  With easy-to-obtain residence permits, a staggering range of money-saving benefits once you hit 60, and inexpensive, high-quality assisted-living care in your twilight years (or for aging parents you may be caring for), la vida buena south of the border looks better every day.