this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2026
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Late Stage Capitalism

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[–] wheezy@lemmy.ml 48 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

The propaganda is so bad that there are a non negligible amount of people that read this story and their first thought will be to blame this person for being a "traitor to America" for not supporting our economy by paying for overpriced healthcare, or because they don't have a good enough job to provide insurance.

There are working class people out there with the boot so far down their throat they will get angry at anyone pointing to how ridiculous of a world we live in.

It's like our entire culture in America is just filled with sunk cost fallacy and the false belief that as soon as we make things better that that will be right after THEY just became a billionaire.

Everyone is so tired and exhausted from overworking and getting nothing in return that the only dream they have is of being in the position of their boss one day and get to be the dickhead that fucks everyone else over.

We literally can't even imagine very basic things that most of the world enjoys.

[–] jol@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 3 weeks ago

Millenials are destroying the American healthcare invdustry by dropping dead before they'd see a doctor. TRAITORS

[–] AdolfSchmitler@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

There are working class people out there with the boot so far down their throat they will get angry at anyone pointing to how ridiculous of a world we live in.

"You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it."

Tale as old as time it seems.

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[–] zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 weeks ago

It boggles the mind that anyone could defend our current medical system, let alone our dental system. Even with dental insurance, you're lucky to get more than 50% covered for these type of procedures and there is an annual payout cap which even a root canal and crowns can hit. A single implants in the US will cost much more than this guy claims to have spent.

[–] Leonixster@lemmy.blahaj.zone 23 points 3 weeks ago (9 children)

That's roughly 23k MXN, which is also what some people here earn in an entire month. Just trying to clarify that while it's certainly not as expensive as it is in the US compared to the average person's salary, it's still not as cheap for people who actually live here either

[–] captain_oni@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Not to undermine your point, dental services are still kinda expensive for regular people, but this is also Tijuana, a border city where stuff is more expensive.

And that dental clinic probably inflates their prices since they provably service a number of foreigners.

[–] Leonixster@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 points 3 weeks ago

I'm aware, but if I started talking about that I would've ended with an entire wall of text, and I didn't feel like doing that

Still, thanks for providing additional context

[–] thedirtyknapkin@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

Sure, but 21,000 usd as he was quoted is closer to the average annual salary in America. So it's still disgustingly more affordable for a local Mexican to afford their own dental care.

[–] confusedbytheBasics@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

That's helpful context. So all that for about 1 months salary in Mexico. Meanwhile the USA estimate was multiple months salary. Looks like about 4-5 months for the average American.

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[–] Tattorack@lemmy.world 18 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

So...

Bit of a funny elephant here....

Hum...

When can we start using the same rhetoric towards Americans as they're having towards Mexicans? Or the nationalists/fascists/racists have towards immigrants in general?

I mean, if we're going to see an influx of Americans going to other countries to benefit of the things which are better outside of America.... Isn't that literally the whole argument anti-mmigration people have?

I dunno. The irony kinda has me smiling like The Senate at an opera light show.

[–] kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world 13 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

Oh the irony (and hypocrisy) is fucking thick, my guy.

My MAGA father-in-law wants to end abortion rights for all Americans in all cases. But when confronted by my wife that her and the rest of his 4 daughters might find their life in danger from an Ectopic pregnancy or other dangerous medical condition in which the only remedy is terminating a pregnancy, he calmly assured her that if they needed an abortion he'd fly them out of the country to get them one (but also the American Healthcare System is still the best in the world, btw). Meanwhile, he and those like him disparage those moving the US seeking opportunities and safety for their families instead of staying fixing their country that WE largely are responsible for destabilizing and putting into poverty.

And he doesn't put stock in us being held responsible for the state of those nations as the things we did to them happened decades ago (for the most part). Also he doesn't believe that Native Americans should have any claim to lands within the US or any sovereignty under US law. In unrelated matters, though, Isreal has a right to those lands because they were stolen from them thousands of years ago, and they can and should have a one state rule over the region and people there despite other people living there already, and also it is totally cool that they get put under a decades long blockade because those people voted a group into power that opposed their occupation, and they do not have a right to resist this blockade or occupation in an way with force.

If you are looking for consistent, thoughtful policy positions, I'm afraid the modern American Right has little to provide you.

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[–] modus@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

No one is stopping you.

[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago

Unfortunately the people who you should be bigoted against aren't leaving.

The fact is that the people of the U.S. that are stuck here need help. Desperately, as the walls are closing in faster than they ever have.

[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 17 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Los Algodones, Mexico is a border town that's economy is based entirely around dental tourism. It has a population of 5,000 and has 600 dentists.

[–] Katrisia@lemmy.today 5 points 3 weeks ago

It's so funny the town is called "The Cottons". I imagine the cotton balls dentists use, haha.

[–] Cricket@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you, I was going to mention that too. "Molar City".

[–] BradleyUffner@lemmy.world 17 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

We're not the product. We're the cows getting milked dry, and once we're out of milk they have taken everything they can from us, we're discarded.

[–] architect@thelemmy.club 4 points 3 weeks ago

And these people will do it to every country if not stopped.

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 12 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Had some leg problems and went to a specialist.

The virtual call (yes I know) cost $400.

Then the scans cost $1800.

Finally, the procedure cost $7200.

Nearly $10k. And insurance only paid for 2/3 of it.

[–] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Years ago I worked out the math for a doctor to rent all his own equipment ( including MRI! ), pay for full time staff including accountants etc. and the money still didn't add up.

If doctors actually were paid $1,000/hr for their time, I'd understand because at least they are doing the labor. But that's not what is happening. Insurance companies are taking the profit.

[–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

This is by design. The massive amount of unpaid medical debt makes this necessary. We are all paying for the healthcare of people who can't afford it PLUS the profits going to the insurance industry and the debt collectors. That is why it is so stupid that people refuse to do Medicare for All or something similar.

[–] architect@thelemmy.club 5 points 3 weeks ago

I have yet to meet anyone in healthcare that will admit those kinds of fees are wrong.

[–] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Sometimes, I think America loathe Mexico not because they are brown and poor, but because America is envious that a poor country have affordable healthcare than the supposedly richest country in the world.

[–] moncharleskey@lemmy.zip 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm willing to bet the majority of Americans have no idea Mexico has affordable healthcare. Propaganda is a bitch

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[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 11 points 3 weeks ago

My dentist gave me a big estimate, and I said, "I'll never be able to afford that," and he said "Just go to Mexico, get it done for a quarter of the price."

[–] stumu415@lemmy.zip 10 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Wait till people find out the technology and cost for health care in China.

My father will get his hearing and heart checked here, because in my birth country he has to wait 4 months to get an appointment and than likely another 3 months for the next step. Here we get everything done in one day including all scans, results, meeting with the specialist and possible medication.

Edit: link because medical tourism is becoming a real thing now in China. I can't believe how ridiculous the costs are in the US. It's a total scam.

https://chinaneighbor.com/guide/healthcare/medical-trip-to-china-overview/

[–] ArmoredThirteen@lemmy.zip 9 points 3 weeks ago

Friend of mine went on vacation to Taiwan and Thailand for like three weeks and got dental done then. It was cheaper to be out of work and buy plane tickets and hotel stays than to have dental done in the US

[–] sumsinj@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago (10 children)
[–] BigDiction@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

I’m pretty sure we’re reading an ad for a Tijuana based gastric bypass doctor lol.

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[–] Cricket@lemmy.zip 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

Something to be aware of when it comes to healthcare in the US: the entire industry is a huge money-making machine. It's not just the infamous insurance companies making a profit on people's health or lack of. It's pharmaceutical companies, medical supply companies, medical equipment companies, medical services companies (like software), and last but not least: medical professionals. Everyone making a profit at every level.

Take a look at this list of top 25 highest paid occupations in the US and weep. Summary: 23 of the 25 highest paid occupations are medical professionals. The only ones that are not are chief executives and airline pilots, and those two aren't even in the top 10.

For the sake of another example, I know someone who was quoted $4,000 for some dental work in the US and went to their birth country to have the work done instead. The bill was $90. Granted, it was a dental training school so that probably made it extra cheap, but they said the quality of work was better than they were used to getting in the US. It's literally mind-boggling.

This article mentions a couple of other factors that go into the price in the US that I had forgotten about: expensive medical / dental schools and medical malpractice insurance.

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[–] heartSagan5@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 weeks ago

It isn’t a healthcare system; it’s a health extortion racket, at this point.

[–] SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

I live in a country on which USians love to shit online, and had root canal procedures and fillings done for free. Not sure about implants, though.

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[–] Bongles@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I need similar work done, I keep forgetting this is an option. It'll cost me 15k to do here at a generic chain dentist. After insurance

[–] ChickenLadyLovesLife@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I have dental insurance and it's near-fucking-worthless for this level of work (which I've a lad a lot of in the last few years). It pays only a small percentage of the costs and the payout is capped at $1500 per year, nowhere near enough to cover the cost of a single implant. I wouldn't even bother having the insurance in the first place but it's a free benefit provided by my employer.

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[–] ArmchairAce1944@discuss.online 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

And they are trying to bring that US system to Canada and the UK so maybe a dozen people or less can make billions.

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

They're trying to bring it to all "western" countries. The US ideology is being pushed hard everywhere in order for US firms to come in and start monetising everything (among which, health, of course).

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[–] ragebutt@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I got dental implants in Costa Rica. One of the best medical systems in the world and flying there and back, hotel for ~10 days, rental car, and the two implants was cheaper than one implant from the sketchiest dentist I could find in the USA

Now I need 2 more and I’m considering going back. Wonderful country but driving there is a nightmare

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[–] antianarchist@sopuli.xyz 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Same in Europe. UK calls the perfect white teeth “Turkey Teeth” for a reason. And we all have universal healthcare here around. So this is not the only reason. Purchase power and GDP matter, too.

[–] AvocadoSandwich@eviltoast.org 9 points 3 weeks ago (7 children)

But "perfect white teeth" ala veneers are often a cosmetic procedure and are thus generally not covered by universal healthcare (there are exceptions ofcourse).

I'd argue a rootcanal treatment is very necessary so I don't think they are comparable situations. That is ofcourse just the opinion of a random internet person.

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[–] hitmyspot@aussie.zone 4 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

I'm in Australia, with socialised medicine, but not socialised dentistry. The cost price of a single implant from a reputable supply company is about that price. That doesn't take into account surgery staff, healthcare staff, the actual surgery etc.

A filling material capsule is about $5. The cost of a filling is still $200-300. So, the cost price of the implant is only a tiny part od the picture.

21k is probably excessive but I'd want to see the laln. 1k is shoddy materials or only part of the story.

[–] lornosaj@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

Is it really so hard to believe that something like that can cost so low and maybe not be shoddy? In EU you get low cost and higher cost countries and ofc it differs, but overall that cost mentioned in the post is imho reasonable.

[–] creamfresh@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

A filling material capsule is about $5.

Amalgam or cement? I pay around 70€ for the material of a ceramic filling.

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[–] FistingEnthusiast@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

The Australian Dental Association are fucking scum who have successfully fought and bribed for Medicare to exclude dental

A pox upon them for their greed and avarice, at the expense of the health of the many

The link between poor dental health and cardiac disease is quite remarkable

There are too many dentists willing to accept increased mortality in the population as a whole, just so they can get richer

Fuck 'em with a wire brush

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[–] tazeycrazy@feddit.uk 3 points 3 weeks ago (9 children)

Probably should give you all a warning about traveling for medical work

1: You will not have access to the same level of after care when you get home. There may also be incompatible medication and procedures to your home country.

2: If something goes wrong you will need to deal with it out there. It may be cheeper for the procedure but you will not have the same resources to emergency or long term care. The cost of repatriation is astronomical compared to the cost of local care.

3: When you get back a local doctor or dentists is not going to touch this as this is someone else's issue and they don't want the liability of something more going wrong. You may need to then find more specialist care and more expensive work to fix what was broken.

4: Good luck getting any compensation. Different country means different legal system. You would need more legal resources to sue a foreign medical provider. Then would lose any savings you made as lawyers get there cut any a court is unlikely to pay out for the cost of what is to them excessive cost in a foreign country.

By all means get the work done but there is risks.

[–] Waraugh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

There is risk but you will still receive standard care if you got the initial care somewhere else. It’s just factually wrong that a medical professional, dentist or otherwise, is going to refuse work because somebody else did the initial work unless they’re a quak. It happens all the damn time.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 6 points 3 weeks ago

Exactly. You're not looking for a contractor to fix the mess the last contractor left when you fired him for fucking up your driveway, this is the medical field. Doctors fix others doctors mistakes all the time. What are you supposed to do, go back to the quack who caused the problem, or get a new, competent one to fix the problem?

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