Now a reality, the reform still asks as many questions as it answers.

The US health care reforms may have a negative impact on health care tourism and off shoring of medical needs, including international travelling nurse jobs. It is yet unclear how the bill will impact medical tourism, but given that the target market for the medical tourism industry is about to vanish under the new and extended health insurance coverage plans, there will be interesting changes in how the industry operates in the future.

The medical tourism industry based its business on the premise that a large number of Americans were un-insured or under-insured. For all these Americans, insurance-less medical expense in the US itself was prohibitively costly. A simple dental procedure can cost upwards of $3000 in the US, and if you add post-op care, medicines, etc. to that, the cost can quickly escalate, to say nothing of the long waiting lines while you endure the pain. A similar procedure in India costs less than $500, and you hardly have to wait at all.

A heart surgery costs over $30000 in the US, while it can be lower than $8000 for an open heart surgery in India. It was impossible for under-insured Americans to come up with such money, but India and other Asian destinations offered an attractive alternative. This fact led to medical tourism industry’s targeting the under/un-insured market almost exclusively.

With the new health care bill that requires all Americans to be insured comprehensively, this market is about to go away. If there are no uninsured Americans, the medical tourism industry will lose its relevance. While every Asian hospital will underline its quality and promptness, it is probably true that if given the choice of treatment in the US at the same cost, most Americans will settle for that. So, once the health care bill makes every American insured, the medical tourism industry will need to devise a new strategy to survive.

Gordon Beddoes and William Cooksey had brought their case to Newcastle County court in March this year, claiming against Vintners Defence Systems and Vintners Armstrong. Both men suffer from breathing difficulties although asbestosis has been deemed responsible for as little as 1% of their problem.

Both men won their cases and at a separate hearing in May were awarded compensation, Beddoes £11,375 and Cooksey £13,612.

UK law firm  Keoghs has predicted a ’stampede’ from claimants following the landmark victory. They predict higher compensation payouts for more serious cases of asbestosis.

The warning follows a recent poll that found that 8% of Britons travelling to EU countries believe that carrying a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) offers them all the cover that is needed.

Andrew Goodsell, Saga Group chief executive, said: “A good travel insurance policy will ensure you are not only covered for medical expenses, but will also provide repatriation back to the UK and cancellation cover should your holiday be cut short.”

Most travel insurance would also give cover for things like lost or damaged luggage and a very good policy would cover cancellation of flights or accommodation.

While the UK supplied EHIC does offer EU members some form of medical cover, it is not without restriction and you may even find a hefty bill on the door mat on return from your holiday.

For a relaxing holiday outside of the EU, have you considered Caribbean cruises?

Alcohol intake and smoking habits are often scaled down when the proposal form appears, but things like depression and back problems, common enough general health problems, are often overlooked when it comes to disclosure.

It was also found that many applicants were prepared to lie about their weight, with women twice as likely to do so as men.

The age group 18 to 34 years old are most likely to withhold or include false information when looking for insurance, while over 55’s present the most accurate information.

AXA estimates that 25% of Britons incorrectly believe that they will face large premium increases if they are honest about particular lifestyle habits or medical conditions, Whereas conditions that affect a large proportion of the population, such as depression and back problems, are unlikely to have a significant impact on premiums.

The new healthcare network provides a range of integrated healthcare and wellbeing products, enabling clients to access over 300 qualified doctors and other specialists, along with a range of hospitals and investigative services.

The scheme incorporates psychological and counselling services, air ambulance and repatriation, wellbeing services and gyms, physiotherapy clinics and access to a network of nurses nationwide.

A House Of Lords ruling in England only last year ruled that people harmed by asbestos could only claim compensation if the exposure had resulted in a physical problem.

Many who have been exposed to asbestos to do not develop physical problems but more often than not suffer ‘pleural plaques’, a benign scarring of the lung that can offer to more serious illnesses like cancer. Those suffering from ‘pleural plaques’ in Scotland will now be able to seek compensation.

While Asbestos campaigners are delighted, the UK insurance industry is furious.

Nick Starling of the Association of British Insurance said that the ruling contravenes medical guidelines and flies in the face of common sense.

Inflation and the downturn in the UK economy are forcing consumers to make unwelcome choices as to where they spend their hard earned cash and insurance policies will no doubt be hit hard.

The survey reveals that many respondents would be reducing their motor insurance from comprehensive cover to third party, in a bid to save cash on premiums, with as many as 26% expecting to cancel or reduce cover for Payment Protection policies.

Twelve percent of respondents would be looking for better deals on travel insurance and ten percent would make cut backs on health insurance. As a nation of pet lovers it’s no surprise that only 8% expected to make cut backs on pet insurance.

The consumer cut backs are predicted to cost the insurance industry somewhere around £1.5billion during this year.

The plan will pay for private hospital treatment if no NHS treatment is available within six weeks of diagnosis. It will also cover consultant’s fees and follow up consultations and out patient treatment, provided that it is received within three months from the start of the claim.

Cover for the first child is £9.99 per month and £7.99 for each additional child.

Cover includes expenses for parents accommodation if they need to stay away from home to accompany an under 11 year old in hospital, the policy also offers access to healthcare professionals via a 24hour helpline.

Over seven million people in the UK are now covered by either personal or corporate PMI  according to the latest figures from the Association of British Insurers.

Nick Starling, the ABI’s director of general insurance and health, said: “It’s good news that the popularity of private medical insurance continues to grow. Health insurance gives people access to the treatment they need, when they need it, offers greater privacy and better facilities, and reduces pressure on the NHS. And it enables employees to get back to work after illness or injury much more quickly than they otherwise would. This is good for companies and the economy, and is reflected in the rise in the number of people covered by corporate policies.”

So just what did happen to the National Health Service?

“If I had my way, I would write the word “insure” upon the door of every cottage and upon the blotting book of every public man, because I am convinced, for sacrifices so small, families and estates can be protected against catastrophes which would otherwise smash them up forever. It is the duty to arrest the ghastly waste, not merely of human happiness, but national health and strength, which follows when, through the death of the breadwinner, the frail boat in which the family are embarked, founders and the women and children and the estates are left to struggle in the dark waters of a friendless world.”

Oh, yes.