(The Center Square)—The Environmental Protection Agency reports Mexico still owes the United States $88 million toward the treatment of millions of gallons of raw sewage from Tijuana that continues to flow into San Diego, shutting down beaches and even forcing the relocation of Navy SEAL training.
“Beaches are closed ahead of the 4th of July — not because of weather, but because Mexico is dumping millions of gallons of raw sewage into our waters every day,” said San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who noted two San Diego beaches were closed for Independence Day, with another eight beaches under bacterial contamination advisory. “We shouldn’t tolerate toxic waste pouring across our border while families are forced to cancel beach plans and communities suffer.”
Billions of gallons of raw sewage from Mexico have flowed into San Diego over the years as Mexican sewage treatment capacity fails to keep up with Tijuana’s rapidly growing population.
While the EPA has sent an agreement to Mexico to address the ongoing sewage crisis, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin noted at a recent press conference that Mexico has not met its financial obligations agreed to with the Biden administration.
“Mexico still needs to obligate $88 million that remains of that agreement that was reached in July of 2022,” said Zeldin at a press conference. “There are a number of projects that are not yet completed.”
“Mexico needs to fulfill its part in cleaning up the contamination that they caused, that their people caused — they cannot view this as a U.S. problem just because their contamination reached U.S. soil,” continued Zeldin.
American taxpayers paid $239 million toward the construction cost of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Diego, which processes Tijuana sewage, with another $550 million approved by a bipartisan coalition in Congress in 2021 and 2023 for repairing and upgrading the facility.
Mexico paid just $17 million toward the plant’s construction, and it pays $2 million toward the plant’s operating costs.
Earlier this year, the Department of Defense found Mexican sewage contamination exceeded state safety levels in over 75% of tested samples and that 39% of recent Navy special forces cases of acute gastrointestinal illness were tied to exposure to these waters.
A new report from the University of California San Diego found Tijuana sewage pollution has spread even to the air along the coast, including one substance that is found to degrade human DNA.
Mexico has recently completed a new sewage plant that should, as the plant becomes operational, reduce sewage flows, while the EPA says the two-year plan to upgrade the IWTP’s treatment capacity will be completed in one hundred days.
“In the meantime, U.S. IBWC has begun expanding the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant’s capacity from 25 million to 35 million gallons per day,” said an EPA spokesperson to The Center Square. “This project was slated to take two years, but we’re going to get it done in 100 days.”
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
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The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
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Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.