International health delegates to congregate at Medical Tourism Association's flagship event

Oct 6 2009

Almost 2000 international delegates including officials from 50 countries are coming together in LA to observe the current US healthcare trends and expected ramifications of proposed reforms in global health sector, while American healthcare struggles to seek interim solutions. The congregation is a flagship event of Medical Tourism Association (MTA), the US based non-profit organization working dedicatedly to set global standards for the burgeoning medical tourism industry.

The congress assumes a greater significance for the European health sector given that the American consumer is also looking actively towards first world countries for high quality care, virtually devoid of any cultural barriers.

Until recently, the European providers believed that their pricing was not comparable to the eastern competition. However, recent studies suggest that Europe Healthcare is an attractive and affordable choice in medical tourism, given that insurance companies seek to minimize their risk of liability through medical tourism offerings in countries of greater political or social stability, less cultural barriers, patients' familiarity of the destination and lack of visa requirements.

In 2009, the study estimated that as many as 3 million Americans could travel abroad, spending $4.4 billion, possibly reaching 23.5 million Americans spending $79.5 billion US Dollars by 2017.

Medical Tourism Association President, Renee-Marie Stephano said, "Medical Tourism Industry is globally recognized as one of the fastest growing industries, and has weathered current financial meltdown affecting key economic sectors. The congress comes at an appropriate time to provide necessary impetus to the sector through ushering meaningful dialogue amongst the industry movers and shakers."

She added, "We look forward to participation of European Healthcare Providers, as the congress will provide them opportunity to network with US Health insurers and buyers, and to develop new relationships and valuable new contracts."

Official government representatives, insurance companies, healthcare associations, healthcare providers, and medical tourism facilitators are gathering at the congress.

Source: The Medical Tourism Association