Key Considerations for an Economic and Legal Framework Facilitating Medical Travel

Journal Article (2016)
Author(s)

S Hinrichs (King’s College London)

Sarah Bussmann (University of Cambridge)

Christopher Dobyns (University of Oxford)

Ondřej Kácha (Masaryk University)

Nora Ratzmann (London School of Economics and Political Science)

Julie Thorvaldsen (Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU))

Kai Ruggeri (University of Cambridge)

Affiliation
External organisation
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00047
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Publication Year
2016
Language
English
Affiliation
External organisation
Volume number
4

Abstract

Medical travel has the capacity to counter increasing costs of health care by creating new markets and increased revenue for health services, potentially benefiting local populations, economies, and health-care systems. This paper is part of a broad, comprehensive project aimed at developing a global health access policy (GHAP). It presents key issues to consider in terms of ensuring economic viability, sustainability, and limiting risk to the many stakeholders involved in the rapidly expanding industry of medical travel. The noted economic and legal barriers to medical travel are based on a synthesis of themes found in an extensive review of the available literature. Economic considerations, when setting up a GHAP, include a dynamic approach to pricing that is fair to the local population. Legal considerations include the implementation of international quality standards and the protection of the rights of those traveling as well as those of local populations in recipient countries. By taking into account these opportunities, the GHAP will more adequately address existing gaps in the economic and legal regulation of medical travel.

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