So many specific questions I don't really know where to begin...

I think your concerns are over-blown.  Social Security isn't going broke in your lifetimes and, politically, both Social Security (the most popular entitlement plan in the U.S.) and Medicaid will be "fixed" only when pushing it off is no longer feasible, say 2025 to 2030 for Social Security.  Plus, Medicaid in the U.S. (depending on state) is better than nothing.  Move to Panama, but don't do it because you think you'll be losing Social Security or other entitlements if you stay in the U.S.

Thanks for your input but I've been on Social Security and "Medicare" (thanks to a disability putting me in a wheelchair) for 16 years and have seen the writing on the wall with both.  Haven't seen a raise in our Social Security checks in many years and have seen raises in our Medicare deduction.  I have also seen Medicare not covering the things they did 4-5 years ago and the same for the supplemental health insurance we pay an extra monthly premium.  I've also seen one of the drugs I take going from not costing me any out-of-pocket last year to not covered at all this year.

I'm simply looking into the possibility of a better cost of living for my husband and me and perhaps being able to buy what we need at a lower cost.  I'm just grateful that we live near Mexico and can purchase several of the drugs at a considerable savings along with many other necessities and/or luxuries.