For Yuvaan Ibañez Garware, healthcare became a major reason behind a decision he says he has made about his future in the US.The Indian man, who works in America, recently shared a video comparing two medical experiences he had, one in India and another in the US. The biggest difference, according to him, was the cost and the kind of follow-up care he received.His US hospital experience, he claimed, eventually left him with a $23,000 (approximately ₹20 lakh) bill.
‘I’m moving back to India from America’
Garware said he had already experienced a serious health scare in India a few years ago after fainting multiple times.He said he was taken to a hospital, where he was given a private room and underwent several tests, including an ECG, MRI, CT scan and blood work. He also said he was able to speak to his doctor when needed.According to Garware, he received a diagnosis and treatment plan after spending a few days in the hospital.The total bill, he claimed, came to around $500.His experience in the US was very different.
Chest pain during a basketball game
Garware recalled another medical emergency in America when he developed severe chest pain while playing basketball.He said he didn’t call an ambulance because he was worried about the cost and instead drove himself to the hospital despite being in considerable pain.Once there, he claimed he spent more than an hour and a half in the waiting room while his paperwork was processed.Garware said doctors later told him he had experienced a “mini heart attack”. But according to his account, he left the hospital without a clear explanation of what had happened or a detailed follow-up plan.Then came the bill.He said the hospital charged $23,000 for the treatment. Even after insurance, which he said cost him thousands of dollars, he claimed he still had to pay $7,000 himself.
‘This is why I’ll never settle down here’
For Garware, the experience changed the way he looks at living in America permanently.“America literally punishes you for being sick,” he said in the video, adding that while he appreciates the country’s infrastructure and other advantages, healthcare remains a major concern for him.“This is why I’ll never settle down here,” he said.His comments have since sparked a discussion online, with several users sharing their own concerns about the cost of medical treatment in the US.Some called the $23,000 bill shocking, while others said the comparison highlighted how differently healthcare can feel depending on where a person is treated.Garware’s account is based on his own experiences and does not represent every patient’s experience in India or the US. Healthcare costs and access can vary significantly depending on insurance, hospital, treatment and individual circumstances.
