Medical Refugees and the Future of Health Tourism

• Author: Joseph Amodeo
• Date: 01 December 2010
• Published date: 01 December 2010
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.2202/1948-4682.1103

World Medical & Health Policy

www.psocommons.org/wmhp

Vol. 2: Iss. 4, Article 6 (2010)

Medical Refugees and the Future of

Health Tourism

Joseph Amodeo, University at Albany

Abstract

Health tourism presents American policymakers with a perplexing situation, which

requires an examination of the implications of such tourism on trade and economics,

especially when considering the role of the General Agreement on Trade in Services

(GATS). Currently, the issue of health tourism, or the means by which consumers

seek health serv ices abroad, and its po licy implications has yet to gain the attention

of policymakers in the United States and the international community. By reviewing

existing literature and relevant international treaties, it becomes apparent that the

expanding popularity of health tourism necessitates exploring the potential

implications of health tourism. Further, in assessing its impact, policymakers must

examine questions related to quality, performance, and accountability of those

facilities hosting health tourists.

Keywords: medical tourism, health travel, medical travel, General Agreement on

Trade and Services (GATS), World Trade Organization, health policy

Author Notes: The information in this manuscript has not been previously

presented or published. There is no conflict of interest, of either a personal or

financial nature, related to the content of this paper. The research associated with

this paper was self-funded, but was supported indirectly by the University at Albany

via faculty review of the manuscript. The author thanks Professor Holly Jarman for

her feedback regarding this manuscript. Corresponding author: Joseph T. Amodeo,

M.A., Graduate Student, University at Albany. E-mail: ja85593 1@albany.edu.

Recommended Citation:

Amodeo, Joseph (2010) “Medical Refugees and the Future of Health Tourism,”

World Medical & Health Policy: Vol. 2: Iss. 4, Article 6.

DOI: 10.2202/1948-4682.1103

http://www.psocommons.org/wmhp/vol2/iss4/art6

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© 2010 Policy Studies Organization

Introduction

In September 2004, Ann Grace accompanied her husband to New Delhi,

India, for heart surgery. However, Mr. and Mrs. Grace were not from New

Delhi; they were from North Carolina, USA. The Graces traveled abroad for

healthcare because they were not able to pay the high cost of Mr. Grace’s

mitral valve replacement. At the Graces’ local health center, the procedure

would have cost them approximately $200,000, while at Escorts Heart

Institute in New Delhi, the surgery cost only $6,700 (Special Committee on

Aging, U.S. Senate 2006). This is only one life story that characterizes the

current conditions that may drive Americans to seek access to affordable

healthcare abroad, better known as health tourism.

Health tourism presents American policymakers with a perplexing

situation in light of the potential impact on the home and host country of the

patient, which requires an examination of the implications of such tourism

on trade and economics, especially when considering the role of the General

Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The potential impact of health

tourism on public and international policy necessitates exploring what

implications health tourism presents not only for the international

community, but also for the U.S. healthcare industry. It is important to

consider the impact that health tourism may have on the patient, the patient’s

home country, as well as the medical host country. Health tourism offers

policymakers a unique alternative that could further ensure access to care. It

may also permit patients to seek medical care abroad both as a cost-effective

means of procuring healthcare, while also benefiting the international

community. There are important considerations that must be taken into

account regarding the political, economic, and social impact of health

tourism.

Trade in Health Services

Although many health consumers may not immediately recognize the link

between health services and trade, the relationship takes on an entirely new

dimension when discussed on an international level. Specifically, trade in

health services falls within the realm of the General Agreement on Trade in

Services (GATS). The GATS emerged as a product of the Uruguay Round in

1994 as a multilateral agreement which established rules regarding trade in

services covering 160 service sectors. The GATS sought to provide rules for

the service sector similar to those pertaining to merchandise trade

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World Medical & Health Policy, Vol. 2 [2010], Iss. 4, Art. 6

http://www.psocommons.org/wmhp/vol2/iss4/art6

DOI: 10.2202/1948-4682.1103