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U.S. Hospitals Target Foreign Patients Amid Transplant Crisis

12/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Kayoko Hira, wife of a Japanese hotel magnate, received a heart transplant within days of arriving in September 2021.
A New York Times investigation found U.S. hospitals target international patients from the Middle East with advertising wait times and concierge services.
Hospitals have contracts with foreign governments; international patients can generate up to $2 million per transplant.
Over 100,000 people in the United States await transplants.

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Story summary

Kayoko Hira, wife of a Japanese hotel magnate, received a heart transplant within days of arriving in September 2021.
A New York Times investigation found U.S. hospitals target international patients from the Middle East with advertising wait times and concierge services.
Hospitals have contracts with foreign governments; international patients can generate up to $2 million per transplant.
Over 100,000 people in the United States await transplants.