Coakley vs. Brown

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Still not necessarily true, though. Spain is currently having quite a problem with "medical tourism" -- people who come from elsewhere in the European Union (like Scandinavia) who'd rather have their surgeries in Spain and their recouperation on the Mediteranian.

Are you saying that the Spanish are looking at the medical care of non citizens as a "problem"?

There's a few countries in South/Central America that promote "medical tourism" as well as here in U.S. for those individuals who are fortunate enough to pay out of pocket for their treatment. It is NOT FREE. Canada sends their citizens to hospitals in the U.S. for certain surgeries, but the Canadian government PAYS the U.S. hospital directly. I'd like to see something that states that these Spanish hospitals receive absolutely nothing from the Scandinavian Government or the individuals that they treat.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by bignasty

Good point. MysticCat is bacically admitting medical tourism is a problem in European countires but then wants the US to adopt similar policies.

I'm sorry, but where do you get that impression?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Are you saying that the Spanish are looking at the medical care of non citizens as a "problem"?

Yep.

There's a few countries in South/Central America that promote "medical tourism" as well as here in U.S. for those individuals who are fortunate enough to pay out of pocket for their treatment. It is NOT FREE. Canada sends their citizens to hospitals in the U.S. for certain surgeries, but the Canadian government PAYS the U.S. hospital directly. I'd like to see something that states that these Spanish hospitals receive absolutely nothing from the Scandinavian Government or the individuals that they treat.

NPR: Spain Bears Brunt Of "Health Tourism"

Excerpt:

Like many Swedish snowbirds who flock to Marbella every winter, Hinman and his wife have paid into the Swedish health-care system all their lives. And in theory, Spain should be able to claim the cost of their care from an EU health fund. But the bureaucracy often doesn't work. Health authorities in the Valencia region - another popular destination for Europeans - say they spent $66 million to treat foreigners last year, but only got $10 million in compensation.