Our incredible trip and adventure comes to a bittersweet end. It was an amazing time, getting to experience Argentina for the first time. I learned so much about Argentina’s healthcare system and its culture, and made many new friends who I also got the chance to share this experience with. We were able to view firsthand the differences in Argentina’s healthcare, more specifically we got to look at the differences between private and public hospitals. It really gave me a perspective on how some people are a lot more privileged than others, which really cemented how deep the wealth inequality is not only in Argentina but in the States as well. Some people can afford the most luxurious care and have no worries about what would happen if they were to get sick. But on the other hand, some may not be able to afford the expenses and therefore have to rely on the unreliable public healthcare system. This really opened my eyes to similarities and differences in international healthcare.

I also found it very interesting to learn about how these systems are financed. While the government does play a huge role in providing hospitals and healthcare, the system also relies heavily on private groups and individuals. Many hospitals may be funded by the municipalities or the provinces, but they also take in funding by universities. On top of that, comes payments from individual people. Citizens of Argentina have 3 main ways of paying for their healthcare: Out of pocket, Obras Sociales, and Prepagas. This is where the quality of healthcare differences really arise. Those who are not wealthy enough to pay for Prepagas or insurance are left with worse care than those who can. Those who are not lucky enough to have found a job with an Obras Socials, or union, which can properly provide funding for their healthcare are out of luck; and those who are forced to rely on out of pocket payments are left with possible crushing debt.

This trip gave me an opportunity to see first hand how the healthcare system in another country, Argentina, serves its people for which I am very grateful for. I am also very grateful for the people who I met on the trip and everyone who helped make this experience as educational and as worthwhile as possible.