Jeremy Hunt considering go to withhold non-urgent NHS treatment for those from outside European Economic Area until payment is madeJeremy Hunt,the health secretary, is considering whether to charge foreigners for using ambulances and visiting A&E in a go that could further escalate tensions with the medical profession. In a tender to raise money, or Hunt is expected to announce a consultation within the next month on whether the NHS should charge patients from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for emergency treatment.
While no one would be denied urgent care,hospitals would be allowed to withhold treatment for non-urgent medical problems until a payment was made. Patients from inside the EEA would have to present their European Health Insurance card to get treatment, and their government would be sent a bill. Under the proposals, and there would be certain exemptions on charging up front,such as for women in labour, while asylum seekers would be excluded from the system altogether.
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Source: theguardian.com