I’ve received healthcare all over the world. The worst was in the U.S.
#US healthcare #medical tourism #healthcare costs #hospital ships #international healthcare #dental tourism #healthcare access #L.A. Times
📌 Key Takeaways
- US healthcare described as worst experience by world traveler
- Cost of care in US called unaffordable compared to international options
- Letter writers suggest traveling abroad for cheaper dental care
- Advocates for hospital ships in US ports and foreign healthcare expertise
📖 Full Retelling
L.A. Times readers Gregg Ferry of Carlsbad and Kim Griffin of San Mateo shared contrasting perspectives on US healthcare quality and costs in letters published on February 25, 2026, responding to an article about President Trump's hospital ship proposal and Greenland's rejection of it. Ferry, describing himself as 'accident-prone' with medical experiences across three continents including bicycle accidents, dengue fever, tuberculosis, and shark bites, asserted that 'without question, the worst care I have ever received is in the U.S.' and highlighted the 'essentially unaffordable' cost of American healthcare, suggesting he would travel to Buenos Aires for dental work to save money. Meanwhile, Griffin advocated for hospital ships to be deployed to US ports to provide care for millions unable to access healthcare due to high insurance premiums and deductibles, and called for health expert envoys from nations providing high-quality care at lower costs. The letters reflect ongoing national debate about healthcare accessibility and affordability in the United States compared to other nations.
🏷️ Themes
Healthcare costs, Medical tourism, Healthcare access
📚 Related People & Topics
Healthcare in the United States
Healthcare in the United States is largely provided by private sector healthcare facilities, and paid for by a combination of public programs, county indigent health care programs, private insurance, and out-of-pocket payments. The U.S. is the only developed country without a system of universal hea...
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Original Source
Feb. 25, 2026 5 AM PT Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix mb-10 md:max-w-170 md:mx-auto" data-subscriber-content> To the editor : I am an accident-prone person. I have been around the world three times, once traveling largely by bicycle. As a result, I have had significant care in places other than the U.S. Bicycle accidents, dengue fever, tuberculosis, shark bites and so on. Without question, the worst care I have ever received is in the U.S. ( “Thanks but no thanks: Trump’s hospital ship plan provokes defense of Greenland healthcare system,” Feb. 22) The cost of care in the U.S. is essentially unaffordable. Next time I need dental work, I’ll fly to Buenos Aires, have my crown put on, stay a month, enjoy the malbec and I’ll be money ahead. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen saying “no thank you” shows undeserved restraint, especially when a comment about the horse President Trump rode in on would be more appropriate. Advertisement Gregg Ferry, Carlsbad .. To the editor : Let’s appeal to the president to send the hospital ships to all U.S. ports in order to provide care to the millions who cannot access it due to high insurance premiums and deductibles, insurance denials and Medicaid cuts. Next, ask for health expert envoys from nations already providing high-quality healthcare at a fraction of the cost of care in the U.S. while the commercial carriers rip us off at all levels, including in Medicare and Medicaid. Indeed, “many people … are sick, and not being taken care of.” Kim Griffin, San Mateo
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