A pair of Non-Resident Indians who lived in the United States for nearly two decades has drawn massive attention online after explaining why they decided to return to India. Their viral Instagram video, centred on the burden of American healthcare and the challenges of raising twins without support, has ignited conversations across social media platforms.

Motherhood Became the Turning Point

In one of the clips, the woman recounts how life changed after giving birth to twins. She says she was granted only six weeks of maternity leave and was expected to resume work while still healing. “I was expected to go back to normal life while still healing, still learning, and still exhausted,” she explains. Managing two newborns, she said, felt overwhelming without help nearby.

Healthcare Costs Were ‘Unbearable’

One of the central reasons for their return was the cost of medical care in the US. Their video caption breaks down the reality of American insurance, “For anyone who’s never dealt with the US healthcare system, here’s a little context. 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.”

The couple says they had to pay $14,000 out of pocket before insurance offered any coverage. As they describe it, “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. So even simple concerns became expensive, slow, and stressful.”

Appointments Delayed, Bills Piling Up

She adds that seeking healthcare for their children was exhausting, noting:, “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.”

Calls, approvals, and insurance hurdles turned basic medical needs into constant stress for the family.

Choosing India for Relief and Support

The couple eventually decided that returning to India offered a more manageable life. The woman says, “Moving to India wasn’t about perfection. Here, healthcare doesn’t feel like a luxury. We have access to good doctors, quicker care and a support system that actually feels accessible.”

She emphasises that their move was not an escape, “This move wasn’t about running away, it was running towards a life where healthcare wasn’t a financial burden and motherhood wasn’t a solo battle. India isn’t perfect, but it gave us something we didn’t even realise we were missing. Balance and peace of mind.”

Others Share their Experiences Too

Alongside the NRI couple’s story, another viral video by Kristen Fischer, an American living in India, has resurfaced. She narrated how she once cut her thumb and received treatment for just Rs 50. “I cut my thumb, it was bleeding a lot, I rode my bicycle to the local hospital… paid 50 rupees, and went home,” she says, contrasting it with the significantly higher charges she would have faced in the US.

More People Say the Move Home Was Worth It

The couple’s story resonated with many who had taken a similar step. One commenter said, “I moved from the States to India 15 years ago; big move but worth it.” Others agreed that while both countries present challenges, India’s accessibility and support network can make everyday life, especially parenting less overwhelming.