News To Know: Medical Tourism, Buyer Beware

Traveling abroad for medical care, sometimes called medical tourism, has grown increasingly popular as Americans continue to seek alternatives to sky-high health care costs domestically. Another reason for seeking medical care outside of the U.S. can be to seek treatments that aren't approved for use domestically. For example, many stem cell treatments that the F.D.A. hasn't approved are being used abroad to treat diseases ranging from Parkinson's to Lou Gehrig's Disease and many others. However, the F.D.A. cautions Americans against traveling for these procedures as many haven't been thoroughly reviewed. For many people in need, leaving the country provides some hope that can't be found at home, but be careful and make sure you know what you're getting into before committing.