Tsoc 165 - Introduction to Sociology

TSOC 165 Introduction to Sociology

Turner, L. (2007). ‘First world health care at third world prices’: globalization, bioethics and medical tourism. BioSocieties, 2(3), 303-325.

1. P. 304. What do people do to pay for health care in the US if they can’t afford it?

They have to withdraw all the money they have saved up, sell their houses, obtain loans and borrow money from family and friends. If not, they have to travel out of America to seek for medical treatments in countries such as Singapore, India, etc.

1. Would you go to India if you were Howard?

Yes, I would. Because if I have my surgery done in America, I know that I’d put the rest of my life and my family into misery and all of us wouldn’t live happily with the stress of paying back that unaffordable amount of medical debt.

1. P. 305. What kinds of problems are associated with underinsurance in the US?

High premium is one of the factors that make people instead of choosing the good plan that would cover most of their health concerns, they choose low-budget plans with low coverage. High deductibles and copay is another factor that makes them step back from having insurance because they have already had to pay the premium, now they have to pay extra to receive the service that they need.

1. P. 306 What does it mean to outsource health care?

Just like other industries, such as toy making, or clothing, most of the companies outsource to lower the cost of the products. In this case, outsource health care is used to lower the cost of medical bills for the companies and employees. Companies are encourage their employees to travel outside of the US to receive medical treatments by eliminating deductibles and copayments, or receiving a percentage of the saving.

1. Why did the United Steelworkers think that voluntary medical tourism might become mandatory?

Because it is cost-saving and that is what the unions do.  

1. Why do American health care providers market to patients from the Middle East and Latin America?

Because international patients seek for an Elite medical treatment that they would not be able to obtain in their home countries. Therefore, American healthcare provider could charge them the fee far exceeding on what US insurance companies reimburse, normally US insurance companies’ reimbursement is lower than what the total cost is. Serving international patients would the generate more profit for American healthcare provider.

1. P. 308. What is “crass and misleading about the phrase “transplant tourism”?

It is used to describe when people purchase kidneys in Bangladesh, China, Inia, Parkistan, and the Phillipines.