The U.S. has the highest quality healthcare system in the world, but it costs too much partly because of the regulatory framework that exists around it. It's inherently anti-competitive. Universal healthcare isn't the answer if you want to maintain high quality healthcare that isn't rationed there's an attainable middle ground that doesn't involve government subsidies.
Mexico has cheaper healthcare, but lower quality. It isn't a bad option for people.
The recent kidnapping of four Americans exposed me to the medical tourism going on in America. I have always thought that the US was a perfect country has very functional health, economic, and political systems. I thought all Americans have access to cheap and quality medical services until I read that over one million Americans go on medical tourism in Mexico yearly.
Just as a side note -- I'd wait for more information on this before we call medical tourism in Mexico dangerous. Seems odd Mexican cartels would target random U.S. citizens who were on their way for a cosmetic procedure. It's possible they were complicit in nefarious activities.
I don't think medical tourist in Mexico is as dangerous as people insinuate. When procedures in the US are of "high" quality and expensive, it becomes a weapon against poorer people who can't afford it here in the States. It's natural to seek alternative services if the ones nearer you are at cut-throat prices.