"United Kingdom May Refuse Entry to Those Without Health Insurance"

[WhiskeyGirl]

As the United States Congress debates health care reform legislation, our friends across the pond are struggling to deal with crippling debt within their own government-run health care system.  To lower costs, United Kingdom's Department of Health has released new proposals that would require visitors to hold health insurance before they can enter the country.  (BBC News, February 26, 2010). The proposals are aimed at "health tourists" who come to the UK for treatment but then fail to pay for it. Id.

There are currently few barriers to access to health care in the UK, as the National Health Service provides that anyone who intends to live permanently in the country is entitled to free treatment.  (Department of Health).  Each hospital has broad discretion in determining an individual's eligibility, which can be shown with anything from a receipt showing the shipment of goods to proof the person is seeking employment.  Id. Under a separate review of immigration regulations, the UK is also considering refusing entry to foreigners who already owe the government for treatment.  Each year, the government is saddled with 5 million pounds from unpaid bills racked up by foreign nationals.  (BBC News, February 26, 2010). According to the Department of Health, 50% of outstanding bills are not paid within a year of treatment and about 5% of overseas patients have three or more unpaid invoices.  Id.

If the proposals are approved, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) would provide a list of aliens with health care debts to immigration officials, who would then prevent them from reentering the country without paying their treatment bills.  (BBC News, February 26, 2010).  In addition to refusing entry to those lacking health insurance or with unpaid bills, the proposals also provide that those currently in the UK will be refused any extension to their visa while long term foreign residents applying for British citizenship will be refused until they settle their debt. The proposals would mark a dramatic change to the government's existing immigration policy, and would explicitly add provisions to the UK's immigration rules that a record of failing to discharge payment obligations to NHS will impact a person's ability to enter and stay in the country.  (Telegraph, February 27, 2010).

The suggested reforms are a concession by NHS that its universal health care has attracted a number of foreign visitors who deliberately abuse the system and leave the government to deal with the debt. Past incidents include an overseas businessman who received treatment worth 55,000 pounds and a pregnant woman who left an unpaid bill of 5,000 pounds after coming to Britain for the sole purpose of giving birth.  (Telegraph, February 27, 2010).  Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said of the proposals, "The government believes that those who take advantage of our hospitality should respect that hospitality or face consequences."  (BBC News, February 26, 2010).  Health minister Mike O'Brien added, "We cannot afford to be an international health service, providing free treatment for all." Id.

more here - http://www.rightsidenews.com/201003088970/border-and-sovereignty/us-legislative-immigration-update-march-8-2010.html

Why isn't the US pursuing a get tough policy on medical tourists?  Illegal aliens and others that use the system without paying?

Why do taxpayers keep getting stuck with the bill?