I'll never forget my physics classes, mainly because I had a crush on my instructor. But, I also learned a few lessons. The most basic physics lesson, push/pull, will explain individual behaviors in the markets when nothing else can. Only a push or a pull will make something move.

For example, in June 2006 I wrote a piece on the dire straits that healthcare faces in this nation. In that article, I argued that the supply side (hospitals) lacked the ability to feed a heavy demand side from patients. It didn't matter whether these patients carried healthcare insurance or not, because all patients experienced long waits, poor service, and high prices. This situation still stands in most cases. But, I was wrong on at least one point in my argument.

In that article I stated, "If hospitals continue to shut doors, then the people who cannot afford health insurance might find another alternative solution. Cora and I are doubtful that this will happen, because alternative solutions are at a premium in both price and supply." Well, this is where push/pull physics kicked in, and where Michael Moore's movie, "Sicko" illustrated the results.

Moore transported individuals from New York to Cuba for medical treatment, and he documented the difference between medical treatments in the U.S. and Cuba. While this film raised eyebrows, dropped jaws, and stirred Washington to consider legal action against Moore, it's too late to do anything about Moore's decisions. "Medical tourism" has captured the attention of any U.S. citizen who desires medical treatment from anywhere other than in the U.S., and - according to the laws of physics - it will take a strong pull to reverse the push that poor medical care has created.

Medical tourism is a term that was coined to describe an industry where people from all over the world travel to other countries to obtain medical, dental, and surgical care while enjoying the scenery. You can travel to India for dental implants and visit the Taj Mahal for basically the same price or less than those implants would cost in the U.S. Similarly, if you want cosmetic surgery, you can save face and book a safari at the same time in Africa, once again for less than that surgery would cost in the U.S.

Developing countries are latching onto medical tourism, as they can compete with developed countries and boost tourism dollars in one fell swoop. Practitioners in other countries have compared their prices to those in the U.S. and have built new practices around the tourism theme. Major providers can add limousine service and private chefs to the bill and the patient remains happy with his bargain.

Medical tourism wouldn't appeal to those who are on Medicare or Medicaid or a combination of insurances that would pay for an entire procedure in the states. But it does appeal to those U.S. citizens who make a good living, but not good enough to pay for insurance or for major surgeries. It also appeals to those desperate individuals who cannot pay for medical treatment, but who can find a path to a nearby country for possible life-saving procedures.

If you've never traveled outside the U.S., you might find this new trend somewhat disturbing or distasteful. The term, "developing countries," might bring sordid surgery practices, dirty hospitals and tools, and terrorism to mind. But, this scenario is fiction in most cases, as medical practices and facilities in many countries have pleased many patients who have traveled overseas for help.

In fact, if you want to wait until 2010, you can travel to Dubai for treatment at what is billed as the largest international medical center between Europe and South-East Asia. It is set to include a branch of Harvard Medical School. If you search for "medical tourism" on the Internet, you'll find many stories about how prestigious hospitals are making plans for overseas expansion. You'll also find stories about doctors who have given up their U.S. practices to move back to their native countries to ride the medical tourism wave.

But, there is a downside to this trend. Some countries don't use the same medical standards that are maintained in the U.S. You might find articles online about black markets on kidneys and other body parts as medical pirates seek profits. And, as in the U.S., some procedures may not work out. Heart failure can occur as easily here as it does in any other country, under anyone's knife.

International medical tourism calls for international standards. A medical tourism expert worth his salt will tell you that you'll receive standardized treatment at any worldwide hospital that has been accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). You can find over one hundred hospitals listed on this site that have received this accreditation.

Another story behind medical tourism is the investment possibilities. Watch for the publicly traded medical facilities that will expand globally. Keep an eye on the hottest medical tourism areas to learn more about advances in procedures. While you're investigating the medical tourism hot spots, you might branch out to learn more about the tourism sector. How are people traveling to these areas, and where do they stay? Accordingly, you can find new companies that plan these tours online. Even if those businesses aren't currently on the market, there might be a chance for real growth in this area.

Back to the push/pull theory?in that previous piece I also stated that, "this country needs to maintain an equilibrium between supply and demand through the guidelines suggested by the National Academy of Sciences. Part of this solution is for Congress to supply $50 million dollars to implement their suggestions." Once again, perhaps I'm wrong. What this country needs is to create a new pull that will counteract the effects of medical tourism, and it may have nothing to do with federal money.

When will that pull happen? What would that solution entail? To be honest, I might be pushed into investigating new investment possibilities while I pack my bags for an extended tour.

Until Next Week,
Linda Goin