Concert to benefit Marshall Cooper

Community rallies for stricken opera singer; medical tourism at issue

By SANDY LONG

MATAMORAS, PA — When Marshall Cooper, a professional opera singer and voice instructor from Matamoras, was struck with a stabbing pain in his hip as he performed in Harrisburg two years ago, he knew that something was seriously wrong. Barely able to make it off the stage, the lirico spinto tenor, who spent 20 years performing and teaching in Europe, found himself suddenly grounded, forced to cancel performances and, worst of all, facing hip replacement surgery without medical insurance.

With the devastating news came another blow when Cooper learned that the operation would cost between $40,000 to $60,000 in America.

With few options in sight, Cooper remembered a television show he had seen about “medical tourism,” where individuals lacking access to medical care in America are driven to outsource surgeries and treatments in other countries, usually at a tremendous difference in costs.

Cooper began conducting online research to learn what facilities and practitioners were available. After wading through countless sites that promised a response only after an initial deposit was made, Cooper eventually located a “humanitarian” doctor who not only conversed with him by email, but also picked him up at the airport when he arrived in Coimbature, India, took him to dinner and transported him to his hospital room.

Cooper describes the facility, a university hospital, as one of the cleanest and most modern of any that he has experienced in either country, and said that the doctor’s training included 15 years of study in England. Most amazingly, the cost for the procedure was less than $6,000.

Driven by unbearable pain and becoming crippled as his hip joint disintegrated, Cooper arranged for the surgery and made the trip alone, since his wife had to remain with their children for the three-week duration. But when Cooper returned home, he found that the same health care system that drove him away was not about to welcome him back either. Citing medical liability, doctor after doctor, including the one who had been overseeing his case at home, refused to provide follow-up care.

Meanwhile, approximately six months after the surgery, Cooper developed a serious infection in the hip, requiring extensive antibiotic therapy and additional surgery. An orthopedic doctor based in Middletown, NY finally agreed to accept Cooper’s case and is currently guiding his recovery, which will include more surgery once Cooper is healthy enough to undergo it.

Medical specialists have told Cooper that the infection was not a direct result of the surgery in India. And Cooper describes his experience as a medical tourist to be overridingly positive. While Cooper said that he has encountered wonderful people within both medical systems, he’s come to conclude that his brush with medical tourism provided a glimpse into a different culture and a more humane form of medical care. “When I look back, I realize that it’s part of a road I’m supposed to travel,” he said. “It’s brought me a greater sense of humanity.”

Before his illness, Marshall was performing and teaching locally, and plans to resume this upon his recovery. He also lends his talents to many local religious groups and organizations. Now his community is preparing to return the favor. A benefit concert, planned by friend and neighbor Dan Bradley, is being held on Friday, December 14, to help Cooper’s family with medical expenses (see sidebar for details).

“Marshall was my vocal instructor, and in turn I taught his daughters piano,” explained Bradley. “The events leading to this illness are of tragic proportion. The family is in need of support,” he said.

While there are obvious benefits to medical tourism, it is important to be aware of the potential risks involved. As Cooper experienced, follow-up care can be difficult to obtain. The credentials of doctors and facilities should be researched in advance and ample recovery time following surgery should be observed before returning home. Be prepared for limited legal recourse should something go awry. One reason health insurance costs are so great in America can be traced to the high malpractice insurance doctors must carry.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 47 million Americans, or 16 percent of the population, were without health care in 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available. Approximately 80 percent are native or naturalized citizens. The number of uninsured has increased by nearly seven million people since 2000. For additional facts about the state of health insurance coverage in America today, visit the National Coalition on Health Care’s website at www.nchc.org/facts/coverage.shtml .

Marshall Cooper Benefit Concert

Where: Saint Joseph’s Church, 308 Avenue F, Matamoras, PA

When: 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 14

What: The benefit will feature the Tri-State Chorus, in addition to performances by Dan Bradley, a pianist reminiscent of the Victor Borge school of comic piano, who will be joined by Carol Diefenbach performing selections from Handel’s Messiah. An offering will be accepted on Cooper’s behalf during the program. If you are unable to attend, but wish to send a contribution, checks can be made payable to Marshall Cooper and mailed to St. Joseph’s Church, Attention Cooper Family, 307 Avenue F, Matamoras, PA 18336.

For additional information contact Bradley at 888/615-4317.