Why this US-based couple moved back to India: "Healthcare shouldn't feel like a luxury"

Highlights:

• US-based couple returned to India after 17 years.
• Mother struggled with only six weeks of maternity leave after having twins.
• High healthcare costs and long appointment waits pushed them to reconsider life in America.
• They found quicker medical access and stronger support in India.
• Their viral video sparked thousands of reactions and shared experiences.

A video shared by a US-based couple has gone viral on Instagram, where the woman explains why they decided to move back to India after living in America for 17 years. She says the decision began forming when she became a mother. After giving birth to twins, she received only six weeks of maternity leave. In that short time, she had to recover from childbirth, learn how to care for two newborns, and adjust to a completely new life. “I was expected to go back to normal life while still healing, still learning, and still exhausted,” she says in the video.

She also talks openly about the cost of healthcare in the US. The couple had to meet a $14,000 yearly deductible before they could even use their health insurance benefits. Their monthly insurance premiums kept increasing every year. The lowest quote they received for insurance for just the two of them was $1600 a month, with a $15000 deductible. She adds that this did not even include their twins.

The woman describes how even basic healthcare became a stressful and time-consuming experience. Every small concern turned into a long process involving calls, co-pays, approvals and delays. Appointments for their children often took weeks to secure, and when they finally got in, the visits felt rushed.

The expenses kept piling up. As new parents, she says, fighting the system became exhausting. “Even for small things with the kids, it was a whole process. Appointments would be weeks out, rushed visits, high co-pays and constant anxiety,” she explains.

Eventually, the couple decided to move to India. She says the move was not about perfection but about finding a place where healthcare felt accessible. “Moving to India wasn’t about perfection, but here, healthcare doesn’t feel like a luxury,” she says.

In India, they found faster access to doctors, easier appointments, and a support system that felt closer and more dependable. She describes the move as choosing a life where healthcare was not a financial burden and motherhood did not feel like a solo struggle. “India isn’t perfect, but it gave us something we didn’t even realise we were missing, balance and peace of mind,” she adds.

The post has received nearly 18,000 likes, with many people sharing similar experiences. Some said they also returned to India for family support, while others noted that both countries have pros and cons, but India can be easier for families with young children.