Foreigners face charge to access NHS

I made the mistake of calculating how much I pay in National Insurance contributions each year...  It's not a small amount.  Really chaps my a** that I would have to pay a premium on top of the amount I already contribute.

I would love for this to be a proposal that goes no where, but I doubt it will be squashed.  Making us pay will not solve the NHS's problems but it will make politicians look like they've "done something."  And since we don't have voting rights, they are not going to care how it affects us.

The story says the charge would be AT LEAST £200. That means it could potentially be more.

Sometimes it feels like UKIP is already in charge.

I don't get it anyway.  In order to register with a GP, you need to prove that you live in the catchment area.  So how much harder is it to prove you have a right to use the NHS.

I was here in 06 and needed to see a GP.  I went in (granted I told them I wasn't eligible, but the took all my documents and double checked) and then charged me.  Most GPs already charge for things like vaccinations for holidays, so I am sure they can just charge for this as well. 

The official consultation surveys are up (both this and the awful proposal to make private landlords play UKBA cops).

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/consultations/

FILLING THESE OUT COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO ALL DAY.

It took me about 10-15min to do both. The NHS one is shorter.

The official consultation surveys are up (both this and the awful proposal to make private landlords play UKBA cops).

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/consultations/

FILLING THESE OUT COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO ALL DAY.

It took me about 10-15min to do both. The NHS one is shorter.

Done!

Done.

Maybe these surveys should have a thread of their own, considering  the importance?

The official consultation surveys are up (both this and the awful proposal to make private landlords play UKBA cops).

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/consultations/

FILLING THESE OUT COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO ALL DAY.

It took me about 10-15min to do both. The NHS one is shorter.

Done. 

I agree with FallGal- a new thread should be started so this doesn't get missed! 

Can do. Where should I put it? Visas & Citizenship?

Thanks for posting it, squirrellypoo. Have done my bit.

(Also, I vote for Vs&C as the appropriate place.)

Aggghhh, I'm doing it now and it's making me ANGRY.

Should access to free NHS services for non-EEA migrants be based on whether they have permanent residence in the UK?

It's NOT FREE!!!!  I contribute THOUSANDS OF POUNDS to NI each year.

Okay, I feel better now.

Aggghhh, I'm doing it now and it's making me ANGRY.

Should access to free NHS services for non-EEA migrants be based on whether they have permanent residence in the UK?

It's NOT FREE!!!!  I contribute THOUSANDS OF POUNDS to NI each year.

Okay, I feel better now.

I had a good rant to my husband this morning. I was like, "It's too early to be whipped into a frenzy like this!" But he promised to do the surveys as well, and that quelled my irritations somewhat.

I made the mistake of calculating how much I pay in National Insurance contributions each year...  It's not a small amount.  Really chaps my a** that I would have to pay a premium on top of the amount I already contribute.

Just to point out but NI is not for the NHS, the funding for the NHS comes out of general taxation. It's a common misconception. The NI funds welfare including state pension. Which, when you think about it, if you are exempt from access to public funds you would think you ought to be exempt from paying NI!

Just to point out but NI is not for the NHS, the funding for the NHS comes out of general taxation. It's a common misconception. The NI funds welfare including state pension. Which, when you think about it, if you are exempt from access to public funds you would think you ought to be exempt from paying NI!

Yes and of course though NI contributions aren't ear-marked for the NHS they free up general fund resources to use for NHS.

Thanks TykeMan, I was told it came from NI.  I always like to have my facts straight.

I think the thing that gets me is how people (and even the government) refer to the NHS as being free.  It's not free, we do pay for it.  We just don't pay at the point of service.

I LIKE the fact that you receive equal treatment whether or not you are paying into the system, I just can't stomach paying even MORE than I already do.

I LIKE the fact that you receive equal treatment whether or not you are paying into the system, I just can't stomach paying even MORE than I already do.

Well if these new fees aren't ear-marked for the NHS - which they won't be - then they go straight into the big pot. So why then make all these ties between health care and immigration?

What it is is just a raising of application fees by £2K.