Post by Focus on Jul 3, 2013 7:28:02 GMT
Immigrants may face a £200 levy to pay for the NHS, ministers will announce today.
Foreigners from outside the European Union applying for visas lasting more than six months will have to pay the new “health care levy” under plans to stop exploitation of the health service.
They are currently entitled to free treatment.
The new schemes are designed to raise money and reduce the attractiveness of Britain to some immigrants
Shorter-term visitors will also face charges for their treatment. There are additional plans to make it easier for the NHS to recover the cost of treating EU nationals and to help doctors identify those eligible for treatment.
The package of immigration measures is designed to see off the growing electoral threat posed by the UK Independence Party to the Conservatives.
The plans will be outlined by Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, as part of a new Government package to tackle the impact of immigration on public services.
He said: “We need to ensure that those residing or visiting the UK are contributing to the system.”
Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is also expected to outline plans to force landlords to check the immigration status of potential tenants.
Initially, the Government wanted nationwide checks but the plan is thought to have been watered down to cover “high risk” tenancies.
The new schemes are designed to raise money and reduce the attractiveness of Britain to some immigrants.
According to the Department of Health, a report from 2003 found that the cost of treating foreign nationals in hospitals was up to £200 million a year.
However, official figures show that only about £33 million was spent on this last year. About two thirds of this money was recovered.
The Department of Health believes that less than half of overseas visitors are currently identified.
Home Secretary, Theresa May
Ministers have pledged to introduce the new rules in an Immigration Bill in Parliament later this year.
The health care levy of “at least £200 a year” is the favoured option.
However, a consultation will also consider whether private health insurance is a “viable alternative”.
Ministers will introduce “better checks” to ensure that a person’s eligibility for treatment is assessed before their first appointment with a GP.
Nobody will be refused emergency care under the proposals.
Not worth the paper it's written on!! - Fx
