UKIP policy means migrants to UK must have private health cover UKIP have launched a new policy initiative that means migrants coming to the UK must show proof of private health insurance. Health insurance would be made a condition of entering the UK and would see migrants issued with an NHS number on arrival to ensure access to healthcare while in the UK. Costs would then be recovered by the NHS from the insurers. Emergency medical treatment would remain free at the point of access, retaining the priority of providing urgent medical attention to all. After five years of paying tax and national insurance contributions in the UK, a migrant would become eligible for a national insurance number which would entitle them to NHS care. “Such a regime would initially apply to non-EU nationals until the point that the UK could secure withdrawal from the European Union” said Tim Aker, Head of UKIP’s Policy Unit, (pictured above). “This change will help to reduce the administrative burden on doctors and hospitals as health insurance would be made a condition of gaining a visa to the UK. Insurance details would then be recorded during the registration process which applies to all patients at GP surgeries and health centres. “Currently overseas visitors, whether lawfully in the UK or not, are able to register with a GP practise. Overseas Visitors Officers are employed by hospitals to identify and then interview foreign patients in order to invoice to recover costs for people not entitled to free NHS care. "However, this is simply not happening. Many hospitals are overburdened with long waiting times and do not want to act as immigration officials while the NHS is already buckling under the weight of administration. "Many Trusts simply brush under the carpet these claims in order to cover up their liability to unpaid costs. As a result health tourism in the UK is a growing problem costing the UK taxpayer untold amounts per year. “This is a simple and effective way of ensuring healthcare is available to all who come to Britain, as a tourist or migrant, without opening the system up to abuse. "It is a long overdue step in the right direction to bringing the NHS back round to what it was set up to be; a national health service, not an international health service.” ukip.org/newsroom/news/901-ukip-policy-means-migrants-to-uk-must-have-private-health-cover
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 18:49:24 +0000
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