30-12-2013, 07:08 PM
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Migrants Will Have to Pay at A&E
I really hope they carry this through - I would even include people who have not paid into the British tax system for more than 2 years.As part of proposals to recoup up to £500m from visitors from outside the European Union who use the NHS, hospitals will be required to identify those patients who are not eligible for free care - and make foreigners pay for life-saving treatment they receive on accident and emergency wards.
While the Government has made clear that no one will be denied medical care, they will be expected to prove their eligibility with an NHS number or passport either when they present themselves or once they have been "stabilised".
Such a move could prove deeply unpopular, especially with the relatives of frail or elderly patients. Exact details of how the scheme will operate are expected to be announced in the spring.
"It would be discriminatory to just ask for documentation from patients who happen to look foreign and talk funny,” Richard Vautrey, a GP who sits on the British Medical Association’s governing council told its conference this year. “To remain within the law, every patient would have to provide evidence of eligibility."
The Department of Health said that "life-saving treatment" would still be free but all follow-up care would be charged for. "If you came into A&E with a blood clot or heart attack you would be stabilised for free but you would be expected to pay for subsequent care," a spokeswoman said.
But the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that the proposals would saddle the NHS with bureaucracy which could end up costing more than it saved. It also warned there was a risk that seriously ill people might be deterred from seeking help.
Under the changes to the NHS charging regime announced by the Government today, GP and nurse consultations will remain free for foreign visitors - but other primary care services such as minor surgery and physiotherapy referred through a GP will be charged for.
Lord Howe, a Health minister, said the changes were about making sure the system was fair. "Having a universal health service free at the point of use rightly makes us the envy of the world, but we must make sure the system is fair to the hard-working British taxpayers who fund it," he said.
I don't understand why the BMA is critical of this proposal given the amount of complaining done about lack of funding for the NHS - needless to say, Labour have rubbished the proposal but failed to do anything about it during their 13 year reign. I applaud the government for trying to tackle a problem that costs around £500m to the British taxpayer.
Other countries manage to pre-check people who turn up for medical services, why is it deemed to be so difficult when Britain tries to do the same?
Spain According to a health-care law enacted in 2012, illegal immigrants who are over 18 will only be treated free of charge if it is an emergency, pregnancy or birth.
US Only "lawfully present" immigrants are eligible for the benefits and responsibilities of the Affordable Care Act. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for any ACA benefits.
Thailand Although the government allows migrant workers to buy health insurance and access medical services, there are many obstacles which prevent them from actually receiving treatment at state hospitals
Australia Migrants are only eligible for the universal healthcare system Medicare if they hold Australian citizenship, have been issued with a permanent visa, hold New Zealand citizenship or have applied for a permanent visa.
China According to a project trialled this month, more healthcare services are to be made available to migrants. Those who have lived in a certain area for more than six months will have their own health file maintained by the government, migrant children will be provided with vaccinations, and pregnant women will be provided with healthcare management. Migrants do not currently have the same access to services as permanent residents.
What are your thoughts on this proposal?
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...s-9029586.html
30-12-2013, 10:28 PM
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Re: Migrants Will Have to Pay at A&E
The Mad Monk is now thinking of charging a co payment of $5 or $6 for everybody who visits a GP to reduce the cost of Medicare. Pensioners and low income people will be exempt.Because that will force people to use Emergency departments now they are talking of charging $6 for that too.
Whether it will happen or whether it is an idea floated to see who salutes it is a moot point.
30-12-2013, 10:41 PM
7
Re: Migrants Will Have to Pay at A&E
In total agreement that all foreigners should pay .But like it reads " British Medical Association (BMA) warned that the proposals would saddle the NHS with bureaucracy which could end up costing more than it saved."
A true fact with all these ideas that the governments are putting into action. One only has to look at the DLA situation to see what the BMA are saying is true.
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