Health2.0: Medical Tourism

A New Yorker article today spoke of the increasing demand for overseas medical tourism.

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2012/04/16/120416ta_talk_surowiecki

 Some interesting points were brought up in light of questioning the constitutionality of the Affordable HealthCare Law.  IF the law is struck down, tourism will be on the rise, says the article.  The author feels that the health costs are out of control in the US.  The article noted that 40 million uninsured Americans would be looking out of country for care.  I have to say, I vehemently disagree with their premise.  Those Americans who don't have care today can't afford mid-ranged health care.  They aren't going to take a vacation and along the way have surgery.  The uninsured are receiving care for urgent conditions, and that will remain, regardless of legality of the law.  

IF the law remains unchanged, I believe, that tourism will increase.  Those who can afford health care will pay the minimum requirements for insurance coverage, which will be less than previous.  The American physicians will be fewer and subjected to increased demands with fewer rewards.  These are the patients that are educated and searching for better and available healthcare.  Health tourism is on the rise, today, partly because of this.  

I'm intrigued to see that monster insurance carriers have seen this transition and are creating divisions to support overseas healthcare.  I think it is fair to say that we, as a society, like shopping for deals.  We feel secure in trusting physicians from other countries, because many of them are American or were educated and trained in the US.