Much of the talk around expanding health-care-related tourism centers around the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the biggest hospital in Jackson. Photo by Jessica King.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
When folks talk about tourism in Mississippi, most of the conversation centers on casinos, golf, the blues, civil-rights freedom trails or family reunions.
But the emerging trend of medical tourism may soon join that list.
Stories of Americans going overseas seeking hip replacements and other major surgeries aren't uncommon, but that's not the kind of tourism that Jackson hospitals are focused on. Instead, the hospitals and local business owners are hoping to attract patients from rural Mississippi and surrounding states to one of Jackson's major hospitals. Right now, those people frequently go out of state, to Memphis, Tenn., or New Orleans, for medical care.
The city's business leaders, including Duane O'Neill, president of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, are working to bring the hospitals together and make Jackson a complete health-care destination. It's part of the platform O'Neill is pushing as chairman of the Vision 2022 Healthcare Committee.
It's not a novel idea. The city of Miami launched a similar campaign in 2009. The collaborative featured a website (MiamiHealthCare.org), and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce touted the city as offering "renowned medical services in a tropical, cosmopolitan paradise." The site linked to the participating providers' websites, giving them a chance to show off their amenities, such as concierge services, in an attempt to attract patients to their facilities.
"We're going to be the world's number-one international getaway for health care," Rolando D. Rodriguez of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce told The Miami Herald when announcing the initiative.
Jackson hospitals are keeping up with the trend, which pairs major health-care facilities with restaurants, shopping opportunities and even some entertainment venues.
Baptist Hospital just opened a commercial complex across State Street from its main hospital called The Belhaven. A new 17-foot-high, enclosed skyway leads patients and visitors from Baptist Hospital into the new brick building.
Landmark Healthcare Facilities manages the 180,000-square-foot, five-story facility, which houses several restaurants on the first floor including Millie D's Frozen Yogurt, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches. A white-tablecloth restaurant, The Manship, is also getting ready to open. In all, 15 different businesses or medical offices started operating out of the $75 million building in July.
Just a mile north of The Belhaven, a newly renovated building across the street from UMMC houses a Backyard Burger, a Smoothie King and a Hazel's Gourmet Coffee. It also has a packed parking lot for lunch and dinner every day.
City business leaders have already gotten some help in trying to push a more health-care-centered economy. In April 2012, Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1537 into law, which he said would "help foster a positive environment for development in the health-care industry while making sure Mississippians have the proper access to cutting edge medical care." The bill provides incentives for health-care-related businesses to create full-time jobs in areas where hospitals exist.
"Passage of the health-care-zones legislation is a major achievement for all Mississippians," O'Neill said at the time. "By embracing health care as a leading industry sector, we will be in a position to realize the benefits of improving our quality of life, as well as continuing to grow our economy."
The Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau reports that Jackson alone received 3.13 million visitors last year who spent roughly $300 million inside the city limits.
Across the state, tourism supported 20,378 jobs in 2012, data from the Mississippi Employment Security Commission show. The payroll on those jobs is more than $4.2 million. An expansion of health-care tourism could boost that number even higher.
Malcolm White, the Mississippi Development Authority's Tourism Division director, said Aug. 9 that health-care tourism should be a natural for Jackson.
"The fact is that if you have a family member or friend that has to come to UMMC or Baptist for health care, the family is going to come, too," White said. "These people have to sleep somewhere, and they have to eat somewhere. Sometimes, if it's an extended period of time, they'll likely end up seeking some kind of entertainment, they might even end up (visiting) a museum."
Health care isn't a part of White's specific focus, but he added: "It makes sense that people like (O'Neill) are talking about it. It could be huge for Jackson."
Comments
justjess 10 years, 8 months ago
With Mississippi's history on certain issues concerning women's health care , it will be a looooooong shot to think that anyone could think of us as being on the "cutting edge of medical care" as reported by Gov. Phyl Bryant.
One of our Gov's key missions is to get rid of "ObamaCare". Perhaps he is interested in this venture because it will be only the "HAVE S" who would have money for access to our medical system. This is the Republican way - That same thought process from Bryant that led to passage legislation for Charter Schools.
When we see a seasoned, well trained physicians from MS on national television shows talking about being kicked off of the State Board of Health's medical board because some politician thought that he was performing abortions - we are in deep crap. Remember the case of Dr. Carl Reddix, an African-American Obstertrician/Gynegologist who had practiced here in the state since the early 80s?
Before going out on this limb, let us begin the job of soul-searching and house-keeping.
justjess 10 years, 8 months ago
My comments concerning this matter hasn't anything to do with UMC, Baptist or any of our hospitals or the doctors, nurses or other staff support. It's about our state's political climate; Those ideas and behaviors that are representative of arrogance, ignorance and racism.
tsmith 10 years, 8 months ago
This article had absolutely nothing to do with Obamacare or any other insurance, but entirely on making first class facilities available, and why even drag arrogance, ignorance, and racism into it?
blkjazz 10 years, 8 months ago
I don't think she dragged "arrogance, ignorance, and racism" into it. Arrogance, ignorance, and racism are already into it. She simply pointed out a recent manifestation of our ongoing problem. The sad fact is arrogance, ignorance, and racism have hurt, and continue to hurt, Jackson and this state economically, socially and in just about any other way one can imagine.
justjess 10 years, 8 months ago
@tsmith
"This article has absolutely nothing to do with Obamacare or any other insurance, but entirely on making first class facilities available, and why even drag arrogance, ignorance, and racism into it?"
The article is about Jackson becoming a "Health Care Economy" wherein people would come from far and near to take advantage of the wonderful SERVICES - not just buildings that we offer. GOV. Bryant's statement in this article also included his House Bill (1537) intended to "Help foster an environment for development....."
Arrogance is mentioned because of the exorbitant claims being made. Ignorance is not a bad word; It simply means that one does not understand. (Probably the reason you asked the question) Racism is mentioned because any system of health care depends heavily on insurance benefits. Since it is this Gov's plan to help other Republicans get rid of the Federal Program for Affordable Health Care, motives based on racism can not be ignored. We are a growing industry of poor people with a middle class that is becoming smaller and smaller.
Your assessment of what I wrote reminds me of a person seeing a BEAUTIFUL cake with the desire of making this BEAUTIFUL cake, but, does not know or care to know the ingredients it takes to make it BEAUTIFUL!
js1976 10 years, 8 months ago
"Since it is this Gov's plan to help other Republicans get rid of the Federal Program for Affordable Health Care, motives based on racism can not be ignored."
Jess, where is the racist motives for stopping the AFHCA? With my household facing a minimum 65% increase on our health insurance premiums, I could only pray that someone put an end to this bill that will end up hurting more Mississippians than it will help! Have you noticed just how many counties will not be able to purchase insurance through the exchange? If those residents cannot use the exchange, they cannot recieve Federal subsidies, so they will be penalized.
We are now looking at this BEAUTIFUL cake "Obamacare", with the desire to have a taste. Yet once we cut into this BEAUTIFUL cake, we realize that it's full of maggots making it impossible to eat.
donnaladd 10 years, 8 months ago
Give us more details on those 65 percent increases. How much do you pay now? Explain please. There is a lot of bad info, and scare tactics floating around, for political purposes. You seem easy prey for it, JS.
justjess 10 years, 8 months ago
@js1976
"Have you noticed just how many counties will not be able to purchase insurance through the exchange?"
What I did noticed was Gov. Bryants reactions to the Medicade Bill and his comfort with seeing thousands of people go without coverage. Thanks to some CEOs and medical people who were able to make him see how this move would hurt hospitals and clinics, also the private sector.
Many who have had the "Obamacar "experience with children being able to stay on their insurance until 26, coudln't be more pleased. The first of the new year will introduce that coverage where a person can not be denied coverage because of prexisting conditions.
Follow America's history with the attitudes and beliefs governing Medicare. Many hated it! Of course, Medicare had to be tweeked and those folks making the negative noise about "Obamacare" are now saying, "Leave my Medicare alone!"
Duan 10 years, 8 months ago
When it comes to the AFHCA - people do not have a clue about it, period!
How it's funded, how it works, and what its going to do.
If you do not understand how legislation works, how government is funded and operated - its best to sit back and not comment.
I find that a good chunk of citizens let political rhetoric and sound bites do their thinking for them; especially when it comes to the AFHCA.
People need to do their due diligence and research this information thoroughly - don't do it from a political perspective, either - because believe you and me - both sides want to pass it - the issue is whoever passed it, the other political party wants to discredit the action and tell you why it wouldn't work - to gain an advantage come election time.
Do your research and drop the political sound bites when you do.
js1976 10 years, 8 months ago
"Give us more details on those 65 percent increases. How much do you pay now? Explain please. There is a lot of bad info, and scare tactics floating around, for political purposes. You seem easy prey for it, JS."
Donna, you might try asking about my sources before making that last comment. I'm employed in the insurance industry and that figure came directly from BCBS of Ms. Humana informed us to expect an increase of up to 85%. I'm currently paying over $800 a month for $5000 deductible plans, if that actually makes any difference to the validity of my statement.
The information is readily available, and I would expect someone in the business of informing the public to have the ability to differeniate fact from scare tactics. If I wanted to use scare tactics, I would have made reference to death panels or some other nonsense Sean Hannity would blabber about!
js1976 10 years, 8 months ago
Jess, I will agree that there are some postive aspects of the AFHCA, and some will benefit from this. However, looking at how it's going to impact our state as a whole doesn't look very good. I also have to take into consideration how this impacts my family, and I don't like what I see. Luckily I live in a county that is listed on the states health insurance exchange, and the income limits for a family of five are very generous. So I will explore that option once the exchange is up and running.
The poorest counties in our state, such as the Delta will not have the option to buy through the exchange so they will not be able to recieve Federal subsidies.
donnaladd 10 years, 8 months ago
JS, we've been tracking the facts on those closely. Bryant's stance is going to cost Mississippians mightily. At some point, more people are going to get it.
js1976 10 years, 8 months ago
Bryant's "stance" to me is irrelevant. If you want an obvious case of scare tactics and bad info for political purposes, he's your man. The fact is, the increased coverages the legislation requires don't come free. Insurers are subject to Insurance Commisioner approval in regards to rate increases, but this isn't a rate increase. This is additional premium for additional coverages I didn't ask for.
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