Monday, July 16, 2007

Low Cost Indian Medicine: Antidote to High US Cost

From an article in the Times of India, "American Sicko Can Reach Out to India":

There's not a single mention of India in Moore's documentary even as he rails against the American system and its off-the-wall costs.

In 2004, Maggi Grace arranged for her friend Howard Staab, like her a North Carolina resident, to visit India for a heart surgery. Like some 50 million Americans, Staab, an otherwise healthy carpenter, did not have health insurance. A routine exam revealed a serious heart problem. Worse news followed fixing it without insurance cover would cost $200,000.

That's when Grace began hunting on the Internet for a way out and discovered India. Staab and she came to Delhi in September that year and got the mend for less than $20,000, with a trip to the Taj Mahal thrown in.

Grace has related the experience in a forthcoming book called "State of the Heart" to be published by Harbinger. The book's subtitle is "A Medical Tourist's True Story of Lifesaving Surgery in India."

MP: Outsourcing can save lives. And costs.

See previous post here on this topic.

(HT: Sanil Kori)

5 Comments:

At 7/16/2007 1:52 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Haven't you posted the same story before?

http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html

 
At 7/16/2007 9:24 PM, Blogger Marcia said...

The author didn't mention this from the same article:

While India's health care at the basic, primary level is dismal, there are a couple of areas where it can bail out US and help itself.

The fact is US corporations also spend enormous amounts of money on advertising, PR, political contributions and others.

The drug industry spends $1.5 billion each year in advertising on just major US television networks. If you saw, American TV, you'd think this is a nation of sick people. How many ads of Cipla, Ranbaxy and Dr Reddy have you seen on Indian television screens?

 
At 7/17/2007 7:24 AM, Blogger juandos said...

Hmmm, Representative Pete stark had some comments regarding pharmaceutical advertising in June of '01:

1) "Since the FDA relaxed restrictions on television advertising in 1997, DTC advertising has soared"

2) “By denying tax deductions for unbalanced prescription drug ads, we may be able to change pharmaceutical company behavior to ensure that that their advertising includes clear, life saving information that will better inform the American public, reduce health care costs, and save lives. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, and I look forward to working with them to make fair, balanced drug advertising a reality.

Hmmm, why were pharmaceutical companies getting tax deduction in the first place?

 
At 7/17/2007 7:31 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Advertising is a deductible business expense.

Why shouldn't pharmaceutical companies enjoy the same tax treatment that every other business enjoys?

 
At 7/17/2007 7:54 AM, Blogger juandos said...

bob wright says: "Advertising is a deductible business expense."...

Thanks for that bit of information...

Does that apply to ALL advertising?

 

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