A Model for the Discussion of Medical Tourism

In recent years, the phenomenon of medical tourism has attracted increased media attention. Similar to manufacturing outsourcing where activities (and jobs) leave the United States, for example, because they can be conducted cheaper elsewhere, medical tourism deals with medical activities that can be conducted cheaper elsewhere. The phenomenon of medical tourism is relatively new, and scientific studies on this topic are rare. The objective in this chapter is to explore the issue of medical tourism. This chapter takes the viewpoint of the United States: What are the potential consequences of medical tourism for the United States?