Former Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene recently shared that she traveled to Mexico for stem cell therapy, citing rising U.S. healthcare costs and a lack of access to certain treatments at home. Her story has put a spotlight on an industry that has seen rapid growth over the years: medical tourism.
What Greene Said
In a post on X, Greene revealed that she does not have health insurance. She said that rising healthcare costs in the U.S. have pushed more Americans to seek medical care overseas, and that this was the reason behind her own trip to Mexico for stem cell therapy. According to Greene, the treatment was not something she could access in the United States.
She later expanded on her experience in a video series, where she discussed traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to receive stem cells sourced from the umbilical cords of newborn babies, and noted that the procedure is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Healthcare Coverage Gap Driving the Trend
In her video, Greene pointed to a broader coverage crisis, citing a figure that 27% of Americans under 65 lack health insurance. That number is higher than current federal data shows. According to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey, the uninsured rate among adults ages 18 to 64 stood at 11.6% in 2025, while other analysts estimate the uninsured population could climb toward 31 million people by 2027 if enhanced subsidies are not renewed.
Even using the more conservative, verified figures, the data shows a meaningful share of working-age Americans go without coverage, and that gap is widely cited by industry analysts as one of the primary forces driving patients toward care options abroad.
A Trend Bigger Than One Trip
Medical tourism has grown into a major global industry, with patients from the U.S. and other countries increasingly looking beyond their borders for affordable, accessible care. Greene’s experience reflects the same motivations driving millions of patients abroad each year.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans most often travel abroad for medical care to save money, avoid long wait times, or access treatments or procedures that are not available domestically.
The procedures patients most frequently seek abroad include:
-
Dental care
-
Cosmetic surgery
-
Weight loss surgery
-
Fertility treatment
-
Orthopedic surgery
-
Cancer treatment
Stem cell therapy, the treatment Greene sought, falls into a category that has drawn a lot of attention from American patients over the years.
What This Means for the Medical Tourism Industry
Greene’s story is one of several public examples illustrating why patients, regardless of political affiliation, are willing to look past borders for care. As U.S. healthcare costs remain high and coverage gaps persist, industry analysts point to continued demand from American patients seeking treatment abroad.
For destination countries and providers, this points to ongoing demand for transparent pricing, accredited facilities, and streamlined patient experiences, factors already shaping competition in global markets. As more patients share their experiences publicly through social media and news coverage, medical tourism continues to gain visibility as a mainstream healthcare option.
Reach Your Full Potential in Medical Tourism with MTB
At MTB, we are dedicated to supporting professionals and organizations in the medical tourism industry as they strive for success. As a leading provider of patient leads, certification, and training, we offer comprehensive programs, expert guidance, and valuable resources designed to help our members achieve their goals and reach their full potential in the global healthcare market. With a focus on excellence and innovation, we help our members navigate the complex and dynamic world of medical tourism.
Tel/WhatsApp: +1 (561) 909-7178
Build your medical tourism business
Turn industry knowledge into a working strategy
MTB provides certification, patient leads, training, and business resources for facilitators and healthcare providers.
Explore Certification
About the author
Gilliam Elliott Jr.
Gilliam has devoted himself to educating people about medical tourism for the last decade. Throughout that time, he has helped companies and individuals from all over the world start, manage, and grow their businesses by implementing proven practices and strategies. His passion for this industry has driven him to help founders create successful and profitable medical tourism businesses, achieve long-term growth, and become leaders in the field.
