Does Mexico have Socialized Healthcare?

Question

I was just curious. If so, is it somthing like Canadas Health care?

Answer 1

Not exactly.  I have lived in Mexico for 2 yrs, am not an expert, but have some knowledge.  There is a system called IMSS...people can pay a yearly premium for insurance that covers almost everything.  They use the IMSS clinics , docs, hospital.  Fees are based on your age.  for people over 65, the fee is about $270.00 a year, middle, age, less, young people still less, chldren much less.  Many people pay for this and use this system.  However, the really poor people can't afford it.  If they need to go to the doctor, they usually go to one of the many "consultorios'  where they can speak to a doctor for as little as $2.00.  Most medicines are very cheap. If they must go into the hospital, they go to one of the "civil" hospitals.  no one is turned away.     When they are ready to be discharged, a social worker meets with them and discusses the bill and usually discounts it greatly depending on their income.  Then they are allowed to pay over time as they are able.  The son of my friends was in the Hospital Civil a few months ago for 9 days, had surgery for a ruptured appendix.  The bill was $900.00, but was lowered to $450.00...still out of thier reach.  But with the help of generous friends we were able to pay it for them.  There are also Private ins. companies and private hospitals.  People who work for a school system or a gov't job receive IMSS ins. as a benefit.