Indian Couple Moves Back From US After 17 years, Cites Maternity, Healthcare Woes In Viral Video

An NRI couple, who moved back to India with their twins after 17 years in the US, has shared their experience in American healthcare system and lack of maternity leave.

“After 17 years in the US, we moved

to India and the reason might shock people who’ve never had to deal with the American healthcare system,” Dhara said in a series of video posts on Instagram.

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A post shared by Dhara (@twinsbymyside)

Pointing out that motherhood changed everything, she said: “When I became a mom, reality hit me in a way I never expected. I had twins, and just six weeks of maternity leave to recover and figure out motherhood. After the six weeks, like every mom, I was expected to go back to normal life while still learning, still healing and still exhausted.”

Dhara said the healthcare expenses added to the pressure. “For the privilege of having health insurance, our premiums kept rising,” she said.

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A post shared by Dhara (@twinsbymyside)

She highlighted the financial burden of healthcare in the US and said: “Before insurance even helps, you first have to hit your yearly deductible. Meaning every doctor visit, test — whatever it is — you pay until hitting the out-of-pocket deductible. For us, that was $14,000 out of pocket on top of monthly premiums. The cheapest plan we were quoted for just the two of us was $1,600/month with a $15,000 deductible. That didn’t even include our twins.”

Even simple health concerns became “expensive, slow, and stressful,” she added.

In one of the videos, Dhara said: ““My husband, my twins and myself – it’s to grow up the way we did, by love, care, culture and a sense of belonging.”

She, however, added that every family’s situation is different. “Our journey won’t be everyone’s, but it’s ours and we’re shaping it in the way that feels best for us.”