Immigrants with cancer could swamp the NHS

[kwicky]

So says the report in todays newspaper. On a following page 'Care blow to Britons in France' where thousands of ex-pats who have moved to France are to be stripped of their free healthcare from the end of this month.

If France can deny health care to immigrants why can't we?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=479474&in_page_i d=1770

[Whickerman]

1. France can't deny medical care to any EU citizen, provided they have their E111 card.

2. The Mail is hardly sensationalist, now is it?

3. Well done for believing this tripe and republishing it, thus lending it credence with others.

4. You have the same rights to treatment in a Polish hospital that they have in the UK. That you choose not to exercise that right is your own business.

Doubtless you'll have the usual crew here in a few minutes screaming for Enoch Powell to be elected.

[kwicky]

If you don't like the utterings of the Mail try the Sunday Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/healt h/article2368553.ece

[Booldawg]

I was under the impression that the UK was the only country in the EU offering free health treatment under the NHS. Do they get free healthcare in France and Poland as well?

[LoftyLottie]

I thought it was only people of state retirement age that received free health care in EU countries under EU law if they relocated. From what I can see they are talking about younger people here. I know for a fact that in Spain health care is not free in most regions if you are under retirement age.

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry kwicky I just read your Times link which confirms what I thought.

Whickerman, I don't think E111 forms entitle expats to free health care. Surely they are just for visitors to other EU countries?

[jake-the-peg]

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_par ent/health/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad. htm

Note you have to have been legally resident in the UK for a year prior to seeking treatment

So the Mail's use of the term "Health tourists" is misleading and I suggest deliberately mischeivous - there's a surprise!

In France the threat is to withdraw free health cover to expats who've retired to France and therefore not paid any French Social Security. If you've gone to France to work you'll be covered.

Non-EU countries don't have any automatic rights but just to complicate things there are reciprocal arrangements with some countries.

Let me not just criticise the Mail - the Times has run this one -http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article2374072.ece

Headlining a figure of �62 million a year before admitting that just over half of that is actually paid back.

So that's �30 million in an NHS budget of �75 billion or 0.04%

Swamping? I think not!

[vehelpfulguy]

>1. France can't deny medical care to any EU citizen, provided they have their E111 card.

The E111 card ceased to be legal in January 2006 so dont try going abroad with one as it will not get you any treatment.

You now need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

More here

http://www.ehicard.org/?gclid=CLPfyJfmqY4CFQm_ EAodt3DuRQ

[jake-the-peg]

As your web site says vhelpful

Persons who are normally resident in the United Kingdom (UK) are entitled to a UK issued EHIC.

We're talking ex-pats here

[jno]

and let's not forget, the next thing will be a wave of lepers from, um, Leperania, come to demand free council housing and private medical treatment. Something must be done.

[China Doll]

Influx of immigrants with cancer in the NHS? Really?

Can't say I've noticed.

[NJOK]

I love the way that the Daily Mail's prevalence on AB is now so complete that we don't even need to use its name.

It's now referred to simply as 'today's newspaper'.

[China Doll]

The crossword at the back of the Daily Mail is very good.

[kwicky]

Its time the politicians woke up. This is the sort of subject many wavering voters think about. The soft leaning trendies have put this country back 30 years. So PUT BRITAIN FIRST not free riding tourists. We have seen the damage that can be done to reading in Education with their look and learn trendy methods.