Free Healthcare for Asylum Seekers?

The issue of health care for asylum seekers has been raised by the government who now plan to extend the conditions under which asylum seekers can have free NHS healthcare. Although some welcome this more inclusive move, others think it does not go far enough and others still think that all visitors to the UK should have health insurance before they enter the country to prevent abuse of the NHS.

The NHS is free at the point of use so if you turn up at a UK doctors or hospital you cannot be refused and must be treated for free although you are required to pay for your treatment at some point. European visitors with an EHIC card are entitled to free care but government guidelines require NHS trusts to charge non EEC visitors for their treatment. In 2004 un-recovered debts from foreign visitors were estimated at £30m.

At the moment those who are seeking asylum are also entitled to free NHS treatment. Once asylum has been declined then they are not. This is about to change however but for only some of those who have been denied asylum: the destitute, those who have children and those who are unable to return home. It is estimated that out of 450,000 asylum seekers in the UK, only 10-20,000 will benefit from the new rules.

Health Minister, Ms Ann Keen said:

'The Government has not been persuaded that this...should be extended to all those who's application has failed but have not yet left the country. It has however recognised the case for those whose claim has been refused but who are being supported by the UK Border Agency because they would otherwise be destitute, have children and/or because it is impossible to return home through no fault of their own.'

The UK has problems with 'health tourism' whereby people from other countries come to have treatment in the UK and then disappear without paying the bill. One of the solutions proposed to alleviate the cost burden on the NHS is to make it compulsory for people entering the country to have private medical insurance. This could be part of their travel insurance or taken as a separate international health insurance policy.

Ms Keen said:

'These changes will support a clearer and fairer system of access to free NHS services that will maintain the confidence of the public and prevent inappropriate access, while maintaining our commitment to human rights.'

It is likely that the restrictions of the recession and the high rate of public borrowing will force the government to take stricter measures to save money for the NHS. The new inclusive measures for rejected asylum seekers are not welcomed by everyone. According to the Telegraph, Sir Andrew Green, chairman of MigrationWatch, said the rules opened up the gates for others to come and use the NHS for free.

Ironically many British people take part in their own form of health tourism. They go abroad and use insurance money to pay for cheaper operations and procedures there and keep any cash savings they make.