Miami Welcomes the Health Care Globilization Summit

Richmond, VA, October 26, 2009 --(PR.com)-- As Washington searches for ways to rework the country's health care system, U.S. and international leaders will gather in Miami November 10-13, 2009 for two co-located Summits, the Medical Travel Summit of the Americas and the National Workforce Health Economic Summit, presented by MedicaTree International. Distinguished panelists and keynote speakers will examine the results and implications of 2009 legislation and the economic impact on U.S. and international healthcare stakeholders over four days at Double Tree Miami Mart Hotel.

The significance of healthcare reform in the United States will have major economic impact on the U.S and international healthcare market. As we move towards a national universal healthcare model that will add nearly a trillion dollars to the U.S.’s existing $2.3 trillion healthcare spend, major changes will result in the delivery and payment of healthcare. Higher costs will further challenge the U.S.’s ability to compete in yet another global industry. The U.S. healthcare system currently has little excess capacity to facilitate more patients. International healthcare providers will likely prosper from increased flows of patients seeking more immediate care at lower costs. Consumers, insurers and U.S. employers will face new taxes to cover additional healthcare spend that is already two times more per capita than any other country’s healthcare spend. More patients will look beyond our borders for healthcare as U.S. hospitals scramble to accommodate an overwhelming workload and decreasing profits from lower reimbursement rates from insurers and the government. For that reason experts have joined to discuss the potential outcome that will encourage growth in the number of Americans opting to become medical tourists.

One example of the disparity in the U.S.’s cost of care compared to other countries, is an aortic valve replacement in the United States would cost as much as a $100,000. By contrast, it would cost about $12,000 at a Joint Commission International credentialed and high quality hospital in South America. The Miami Summits will give domestic and international providers, U.S. employers, health insurers, consumers and third party administrators their first opportunity to examine the legislative impact and recommended courses of action to comply with legislative reform. “The U.S. is currently spending $1 of every $5 of its GDP on healthcare. As costs continue to rise in the U.S., the market will encourage and demand competition from global providers. The dynamics of U.S. healthcare will change more this November than at any other time in the last several decades. The results of globalization of healthcare and proposed reformed could mirror what we have already experienced in electronics, manufacturing, textile, automotive and the financial services industries in the U.S.”, said Skip Brickley, President, MedicaTree International. “Miami is a perfect host city for these important healthcare Summits as participants plan their courses of action and seek Western Hemisphere alliances.”

Shaping the content for the four day summit are industry leaders:
Rolando Rodriguez, Chair Healthcare & Bioscience Committee, GMCC; Society of International Hospitals;
Becky J. Cherney, CEO Florida Healthcare Coalition;
Brian Keely, President & CEO Baptist Hospital South Florida; CSX;
Charlotte Gallogly, President World Trade Center,
Larry Boress, CEO Midwest Business Group on Health;
Gene Stillwell-Mason, Senior Director Executive & International Benefits Global Strategy & Design Wal-Mart;
Jorge Woodbridge, Minister of Competitiveness Costa Rica;
Janet Trautwein, President & CEO National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU); and Kerr at UHG.
John C. Goodman, Ph.D., President & CEO Kellye Wright Fellow, National Center for Policy Analysis

Media Contact:
Skip Brickley, President and CEO
MedicaTree International, Inc.
804-266-7422 x7200
Press Release 10/23/2009

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