Tuesday, August 28, 2007 article on the USA Today web site talks about census results where 47 million American had no health insurance in 2007. Here is the link to the article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/insurance/2007-08-28-uninsured_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
This incredible number does not even include those who are underinsured.
Its interesting to try and think about the total global market for medical tourism. While the web site http://www.medical-tourism-in-india.com/ focuses on primarily an American audience, other than the 47 million without insurance, there are several other groups that form the population of potential medical tourists.
1. European and Canadien public health systems are over burdened with waits of several months for some treatments. Often they will reimburse the patients for travelling overseas for treatment at a lower cost. That is a win win for both the patient and the health care system.
2. African and Middle East countries have large pupulations that can pay top dollar for world class health care and have traditionally travelled to the US to obtain it. But with visa issues and delays, they are increasingly looking to India, Thailand and Singapore for quality healthcare at cheaper rates.
This incredible number does not even include those who are underinsured.
Its interesting to try and think about the total global market for medical tourism. While the web site http://www.medical-tourism-in-india.com/ focuses on primarily an American audience, other than the 47 million without insurance, there are several other groups that form the population of potential medical tourists.
1. European and Canadien public health systems are over burdened with waits of several months for some treatments. Often they will reimburse the patients for travelling overseas for treatment at a lower cost. That is a win win for both the patient and the health care system.
2. African and Middle East countries have large pupulations that can pay top dollar for world class health care and have traditionally travelled to the US to obtain it. But with visa issues and delays, they are increasingly looking to India, Thailand and Singapore for quality healthcare at cheaper rates.
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