Global Alliance Takes First Major Steps for Medical Tourism from America

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 8, 2005

Each year, as the cost of healthcare in the U.S. continues to rise; an increasing number of Americans are traveling abroad for medical care. Lured by savings of up to 85% off for procedures ranging from cosmetic to cardiac bypass, Americans, up until recently, have taken this risk with almost no support here at home. At a press conference to take place April 11th at the Malaysian Embassy in Washington, DC, USA-based MedRetreat, LLC will announce a global alliance, designed to advocate for Americans and facilitate “medical tourism” to foreign countries.

“The globalization of science, technology, and communications has led to the development of world class healthcare in certain regions of the world, where treatment is provided a fraction of the American cost,” said Judson Anglin, Founder and President of MedRetreat. MedRetreat, LLC is the first American medical tourism company, acting as an advocate for American’s interested in traveling abroad for medical procedures.

Anglin and his partners have traveled to Thailand, Malaysia, Argentina and India, touring hospitals and facilities and compiling research on standards of care, accommodations and the many cultural nuances that affect American travelers in each country. “Americans need an extraordinary level of care and support when traveling,” said Anglin. “That is why we only partner with organizations that offer ‘door to door’ service.” Last year, MedRetreat partnered with Beautiful Holidays, Southeast Asia’s most popular medical tourism company. Beautiful Holidays is known throughout Europe for combining medical treatment with luxury recuperation at 5-star resorts in Malaysia and Thailand.

There are over 44 million uninsured Americans. There are millions more whose health insurance co-pay for a single procedure can be equal to the cost of the entire procedure abroad. Said Anglin: “We are hoping that, through this alliance of nations and service-based organizations, Americans can feel safe and secure traveling abroad for medical care.”

The following representatives will be present to speak and field questions:

H.E. Dato’Ghazzali bin Sheikh Abdul Khalid, Ambassador Of Malaysia, will present an introduction on Malaysia’s strategic global advantage in the growing medical tourism market.

Tederic Mohr, CEO, Penang Adventist Hospital, will present a brief overview of medical facilities, technologies and competencies available to Americans traveling to Malaysia.

Judson Anglin, President & Founder, MedRetreat will introduce MedRetreat, LLC as the first American company to offer medical tourism services, including information, advocacy and facilitation for Americans undergoing medical procedures abroad.

Marloes Giezenaar, Managing Director, Beautiful Holidays, will present a brief overview of the “A to Z” process that Americans experience from arrival to departure.

Katherine Bogardus and Kimberlee Tyner, R.N., recent “medical tourists” will be on hand to share their experiences and answer questions.

Where:

Global Alliance Takes First Major Steps for Medical Tourism from America