When governments interfere with medical tourism
Two news stories that I have been meaning to write about for some time that deal with the issue of governments interfering with people traveling for medical care. In one case a poor country with inadequate medical facilities at home is moving to prevent outbound medical tourism. In another a detailed study was published that considers why and how rich countries might introduce obstacles to outbound medical tourism.
In the first case, Nigeria is moving to stop the practice of paying for government officials to obtain medical treatment in other countries. The Nigerian finance minister says up to $200 million could be saved annually if Nigerians sought medical care in their home country. That substantial sum would be instead invested in improving local hospitals, doctors and patient care. South Africa and India have been the preferred choices for Nigerians traveling abroad for medical care. But the House of Representatives has become increasing vocal about preventing the flow of government funds abroad, resulting in depletion of foreign reserves and stagnation of the countries healthcare infrastructure.
In the other case, a study looks at outbound medical tourism’s effect on rich countries and although the impact is less than in Nigeria due to these being “rich” (ignoring their overwhelming debt for the moment) they are still out for a money grab to trap their citizens into their home countries’ bloated, inefficient and overpriced medical care systems. With the continued onslaught against personal freedoms in the “free” world it will be no surprise when some sort of restrictions are attempted. While some people are positive on medical tourism as a free market alternative to the ruinous Obamacare legislation I think they underestimate the determination of government to trap it’s citizen.