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NHS charges for migrants to go ahead

NHS charges for migrants to go ahead
14 October 2013



Migrants will be made to contribute to the costs of running the NHS in a bid to stop ‘health tourism’, the government has announced. 
Currently, many non-EU migrants have the same access to the NHS as a permanent UK resident. 
However, the government feels that this approach is “generous” and rules, which aim to limit access to secondary care for non-EU visitors who plan to be in the UK for less than six months, are “inconsistently applied”. 

Migrants will be made to contribute to the costs of running the NHS in a bid to stop ‘health tourism’, the government has announced. 
Currently, many non-EU migrants have the same access to the NHS as a permanent UK resident. 
However, the government feels that this approach is “generous” and rules, which aim to limit access to secondary care for non-EU visitors who plan to be in the UK for less than six months, are “inconsistently applied”. 
The money will then be used as a contribution towards NHS running costs. 
But people seeking asylum, humanitarian protection or temporary protection will not be subject to the charge.  
Immigration Minister Mark Harper said: “We have been clear that the UK has a national health service, not an international health service. These proposals will ensure that migrants here temporarily make a fair contribution to the cost of health services in the UK. 
“The government is building a fairer immigration system which addresses the concerns of hardworking people.” 

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