An American writer living in western France has found that moving abroad has dramatically reduced the cost of the medication she needs to manage a severe chronic illness.
Hilary Hodge
Hilary Hodge, originally from Chicago, has suffered from severe allergic asthma since childhood.
By her early 30s, inhalers no longer controlled her symptoms, and doctors said she qualified for a biologic drug that could help. The problem was the price: around $36,000 a year in the US.
In 2017, she relocated with her French husband to Angers (Maine-et-Loire) to spend time near his family and friends.
“The difference was immediate and life-changing,” Ms Hodge said.
“I did have excellent care in the US. I was at NYU and Weill Cornell in New York and at Northwestern in Chicago, but I have found the care in France to be better, more holistic, and significantly more affordable.”
Ms Hodge, who works as a writer and education consultant, also lives with Addison’s disease, a condition affecting the adrenal glands.
Her experience highlights the stark differences in healthcare costs between the US and France.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates average healthcare spending per person to be around €3,500 ($4,100) a year.
In the US, by contrast, healthcare relies heavily on private insurance, with average annual spending of around $12,500 per person, according to the OECD.
“In France, healthcare is accessible without fear of financial ruin,” said Dr Marie Dubois, a health economist based in Paris. “In the US, the system often places cost burdens on patients that can be catastrophic.”
Ms Hodge moved to France after meeting her French husband, Antoine, in Chicago in 2016. The couple now live in Angers with their five-year-old son, having relocated there during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She has since become an advocate for patients with chronic conditions.
“I am co-chair of the severe asthma arm of the European Respiratory Society. I have been part of research studies, worked with the WHO to help shape policy, and trained clinicians on working better with patients,” she said.
She is also writing a book on parenting with a chronic health condition, sharing tools and scripts for families facing similar challenges.
For Ms Hodge, the move to France has ultimately been about more than cost savings.
“I have a terrific severe asthma specialist, a wonderful endocrinologist for my adrenal failure, and the healthcare system allows me to focus on living my life rather than worrying constantly about bills,” she said.
