Health Care Reform is the popular debate topic going on currently in hupages, particularly with the Americans. At the time of recession, when millions have lost their jobs, the cost of health care is sky-rocketing, which the common people or the middle class citizens, especially among the immigrant communities are finding it unbearable .So read this weeks Hubmob Topic :Health Care Reforms

The disparities in Health Care System

A large percentage of Americans don’t have any access to health care. Many of the rural residents like the farmers must spend on health care out of their own pockets than their urban counterparts. These rural minority residents have health problems ranging from obesity issues to cancer and diabetes.

Many women work part time, thus stripping them of their chances of employer sponsored health care benefits. Hence, more than men, women are uncovered by health insurances. Almost 50% of the women are purposely avoiding or postponing their health care because of the expense. These disparities call for a reform in Health Care System where by an alternate Health Care system giving equal access to high quality health care be implemented. The people are waiting impatiently for productive actions from Washington.

It is found that in majority of the cases, especially with the migrant communities, poor communication with the health care providers result in less access to health care.

1.  It gives you financial protection- an injury or a disease can create a financial mess in your life which can be avoided with a health insurance.
2.  An uninsured person is more likely to die of diseases that could have been prevented through regular check ups, like cancer.
3.  A doctor will be reluctant to treat an uninsured patient because of no payment guarantee
4.  Adults between the age of 19 and 29 are likely more uninsured.
5.  Health insurance protects your whole family.
6.  Insured people recover faster due to peace of mind.

There are two types of health plans: managed and indemnity plans.

Managed care plans such as HMOs and PPOs have pre-negotiated agreements with specific doctors, hospitals and health providers- the provider network. You can also select a primary physician from amongst the network who can make decisions about all your health care needs. The merits are less paper work for you, special rates and services.

Indemnity plans have no network restrictions; they simply reimburse you a portion of all your health expenses.

India is one of the most sought after tourist destinations. In Medical Tourism, Health care sector works hand-in-hand with the tourism industry. It intends to mix leisure, fun filled tourism with a touch of medical care. Lots of patients from the West arrive in India not only to experience the rich cultural heritage of India but also to feel the heeling powers offered by Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. High quality and affordable medical care are promised here even in specialized fields like by-pass surgeries, knee cap replacements etc.

The factors leading to success of Medical Tourism in India are

• Low cost treatment
• High quality medical care with modern facilities and equipments
• Less waiting time especially for emergency treatments
• Fluent English speaking staff.

Medical Packages Offered in India

• Dental Care
• Eye Care
• Heart Care
• Heart Surgery
• Health Check Up
• Cosmetic Treatment
• Orthopaedic Surgery

While India has attracted patients from America where treatments are expensive and time consuming, India offers the best and worst of health care to its citizens. The private heath system is booming. India’s doctors are in par with that of the West.

Top 5 Medical Tourist Hospitals in India

•  AIIMS
•  Apollo Hospital
•  B.M.Birla Heart Research Centre
•  Christian Medical College
•  Tata Memorial Hospital

The private hospitals in the big Cities of Delhi and Chennai like the Apollo Hospitals are described as ‘Centre of Excellence’; they offer world class treatments to patients not only in India but from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and currently from developed nations too. But these sorts of treatments should be available at an affordable cost to the Indian villagers and farmers too. The present Government has promised efficient and low cost health care systems in the villagers, especially for the farmers by including community health workers and a national insurance program. We have to wait and see if these innovations become successful to provide equal and high quality health care facilities to all the citizens alike.