The UK Health Secretary Andy Burnham has defended his government's decision to end a 62-year-old health agreement with the Isle of Man.
The reciprocal agreement has been in place since 1948. It is due to end on 1 April.
After this date, residents must take out insurance when visiting the UK in case they fall ill.
Mr Burnham told the House of Commons he had to get maximum "value for money" from all expenditure.
The decision also affects tourists visiting the island. They will continue to receive free accident and emergency treatment, but will be expected to have insurance to cover the cost of any further care.
The figures would be interesting here - exactly how much is the net cost of medical treatment provided for the IOM citizens in comparison to what is provided for citizens of the other countries we have reciprocal arrangements with? Minimal, I'm sure and in comparison to the administrative waste that takes place within the "NHS"? Probably an even more laughably small percentage.
4 comments:
Hi Just to give a few figures the UK paid 2.9 million to the isle of Man, that is 0.028% of the UK health Budget, The Isle of Man paid 8 million to the UK for elective surgery, treatment in North West Hospitals that cannot be done in the Isle of Man. A figure that came out in UK Parliament the UK pay 600 million to EU countries for treatment to Ex pats living in the eu countries and only claiming 60 million for treatment to eu residents living in the UK. There is a campaign here in the isle of man to get the decision deferred, and at the british irish parliament assembly they voted for it to be deferred and proper discussions to be held between northern ireland, scotland and wales as well as they were never consulted.
Eddie Power
I was not sure whether agreement is with the "UK" or just with England. Interesting if Scotland, Wales and NI continue to give their fellow "Celts" continued free health care - if they can!
Cheers Eddie for putting that dimension on it.
Of course with the Republic there is a long-standing reciprical agreement even before you take the EIII or whatever it is now into account.
Interesting.
Thanks Eddie. I kind of suspected that would be the case with the figures which makes a mockery of the UK govt's case. Please keep me posted with developments either via email or in the comments.
It seems to me that this government is determined to drive as many wedges between the peoples of these Isles that it can.
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