(NYT) – International patients can bring a hospital as much as $2 million for a transplant. In recent years, they have typically gotten organs faster than U.S. patients.

More than 100,000 people in the United States are in need of a transplant, and each year thousands die waiting. But despite the shortage of organs, some American hospitals are aggressively courting international transplant patients, a New York Times investigation found.

They have advertised abroad, promoting short wait times and concierge services, particularly to patients in the Middle East, where about two-thirds of overseas transplant recipients are from. Several hospitals have signed contracts with foreign governments, setting prices for different organ transplants. (Read More)