| Photo by Quang Tri-Nguyen on Unsplash
Part XIV of “A Socioeconomic ‘Co-optopia'” Series
A newly elected governor of California may be able to persuade the State Assembly and Senate to launch the “Medicare For All Californians” (under the proposed acronym “MediCAre”). And implement it beginning late 2027. It can anchor its healthcare plans with Mexican and Filipino medical systems.
In the field of dentistry, the Philippines and Mexico have highly affordable fees, often costing 70% to 80% less than similar dental treatment and care in California.
Average Filipino Cost Estimates (at an exchange rate of PHP 60/US$1, rounded off to the nearest dollar). It is estimated that the same costs are slightly higher in Mexico than in the Philippines.
Preventative Cleanings in the Philippines cost between ₱700 ($12) and ₱3,000 ($50). Tooth extraction costs there range from ₱500 ($9) to ₱3,000 ($50) for simple extractions and ₱5,000 ($84) to ₱15,000+ ($250+) for surgical impaction. Here is a real comparison: This journalist underwent a surgical impaction procedure in 2025 for a single molar extraction and a bone grafting procedure (BGP) in Southern California. His co-pay was $985, with the remaining additional charges (in the four figures) billed to his U.S. Medicare plan. The BGP consisted of pouring medical powder into the extraction site and suturing.
For general services, Philippine government hospitals and dental schools offer the lowest rates, while premium chains (of private dental clinics) are considerably more expensive. Prices vary significantly based on complexity. Additional fees, such as those for X-rays, may apply and average ₱1,000 ($17) per visit.
Here is a more detailed scenario. This columnist had a recent dental visit, and the HMO-supplied dental clinic in Southern California recommended that all his remaining 11 teeth be extracted, with preparatory dental work, custom-fitted upper- and lower dentures, and office visits (checkups) after the procedure is completed. In a six-page summary of estimated charges, the total was $29,345, with his co-pay totaling $11,498. The rest would be paid — at a discount — by U.S. Medicare.
This columnist said he would schedule a two-week vacation to Sorsogon City in the Philippines, stay at a 3-star hotel, and have all the required dental work done. The total cost is estimated to be less than $10,000 (for all dental work, dentures, airfare for him and his wife, and meals). And he would not even bill Medicare, even for a part of it. Because MediCare would not honor it in the first place.
Perhaps immediately after the November 3, 2026, election, the governor-elect can convene a summit with a committee of representatives from the state government, medical groups or associations, and community leaders. The summit can finalize the conceptual framework of the approach for a feasibility study, which the invited participants can write, edit, and improve during the nearly 4-month campaign before November this year. Then a draft of the legislation may be finalized in January 2027. Then discussed in the Assembly and Senate, and approved after, of course, being subjected to amendments that would make the plan more viable and affordable.
The same idea can be used to solve homelessness problems in California, Mexico, the Philippines, and other U.S. states and foreign countries that may want to participate in MediCAre and other socioeconomic experiments. More details of this aspect can be discussed in Part XV of this series.
