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If the U.S. passes Universal healthcare, how will International medical tourism be affected?

"..."They told me I was gonna die," says Bonnewell, who didn't have insurance. He estimates he would have had to pay over $100,000 out of his own pocket for the operation he needed, a complicated quintuple bypass. And he says he actually decided not to do it: "I guess I figured I'd rather die with a little bit of money in my pocket than live poor." But Bonnewell says his health was deteriorating quickly, when he read about Bumrungrad Hospital: "I was in my doctor's office one day having some tests done, and there was a copy of Business Week magazine there. And there was an article in Business Week magazine about Bumrungrad Hospital. And I came home and went on the Internet and made an appointment, and away I went to Thailand." He made that appointment after he learned that the bypass would cost him about $12,000. He chose his cardiologist, Dr. Chad Wanishawad, after reading on the hospital’s Web site that he used to practice at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland. "Every doctor that I saw there has practiced in the United States," says Bonnewell. But three days after walking into the hospital, he was on the operating table. Two weeks later, he was home. How does he feel? "Wonderful. I wish I’d found them sooner," says Bonnewell. "Because I went through a year – I was in bad shape. I couldn’t walk across the room."..." http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/21/60minutes/main689998.shtml

Public Comments

1. He would probably stay here.
2. The US doesn't need universal health care they only need national health care. Where not here to support the universe.
3. I don't believe Mr. Obama is looking to regulate the Health care industry by setting "flat rates" for procedures like an auto mechanic does. I think he is trying to provide it to everyone at a cost to the taxpayers and to determine what procedures will be done. Two things are wrong with this, why should I as a single man with no children and taxed at 34% percent of my income have to pay for 6 kids whose mother isn't taxed because she doesn't make enough. Then who says that said mother would want to receive the care that is offered? Ever hear of personal responsibility or personal choice? You won't in a dictatorship.