| | |  Health & Beauty | August 2009 
Health Care Free, Just Pay for the Vacation
 Dudley Althaus - Houston Chronicle
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August 04, 2009
 |  | More than 13 million tourists visited Mexico City last year, according to city figures, about a quarter of them from the United States. |  | | |
Mexico City — Uninsured, under-insured and not sure Obamacare is going to ramp up in case you suddenly need a triple heart bypass? Consider a vacation to Mexico's chaotic yet caring capital.
Desperate to win back the tourists it lost amid last spring's swine flu crisis, Mexico City's government and participating hotels are offering full health insurance to Mexican and foreign tourists staying here through the end of the year.
The insurance will cover treatment — including hospitalization and medicines — for those falling sick with the flu or other illnesses as well as those involved in an accident. Transportation of patients needing to be sent back to their cities or countries of origin will be paid by the insurance as well.
“There is no limit per insured person,” Alejandro Rojas, Mexico City's tourism director, said after announcing the program. “If the person requires a heart surgery because of a medical emergency, the insurance pays it and the city pays the deductible.”
Mexico's crucial tourism industry, which ranks third as the country's source of foreign income, was clobbered by the swine flu outbreak that began here in the final days of April. Hotel occupancy in Mexico City, which was the flu's epicenter, plunged into the single digits. Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and other beach destinations not dramatically hit by the flu were clobbered as well.
Tourism in the capital and nationwide has rebounded considerably this summer but still lags behind last year's figures. More than 13 million tourists visited Mexico City last year, according to city figures, about a quarter of them from the United States.
“This really hit us hard. Occupancy hit the floor and still hasn't come back fully,” said Patricia Hernandez, public relations manager for the Royal Hotel in Mexico City's Zona Rosa, or “pink zone.” “We haven't been able to clean up our image.”
That image has been suffering for years, since the crime wave that seized the city during the financial crisis of the mid-1990s, when tourists and residents alike were assaulted and robbed on the streets and in the city's ubiquitous roving taxis.
Some hotels opt out
Mexico City's violent crime has dropped dramatically since then, even as it has exploded in provincial areas shaken by gangland violence. But many people still shudder at the mention of the capital.
“They want to blame this all on the flu, but it started long before that,” said Ricardo Garcia, who works at an antiques market near the U.S. Embassy once popular with American tourists. “The government has failed to take care of the problem.”
The premiums on the tourist insurance are being paid by individual hotels, though many of the city's higher cost properties and chains aren't taking part.
Many worry about tourists trying to scam the program with unwarranted claims or pre-existing conditions, Hernandez said.
“Some people are always looking to take advantage,” she said. “We have to be very careful.”
The insurance program comes as Mexico City prepares for the next year's celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain. Streets and boulevards have been resurfaced across the capital, buildings refurbished, museums overhauled.
Mexico City, Cancun and other beach destinations are enjoying a brisk summer season as Mexican tourists flock to them during the shortened school vacation season, which ends later this month.
dudley.althaus(at)chron.com |
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