Brexit Healthcare Agreement
The healthcare agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) has been a topic of discussion since the Brexit referendum in 2016. The agreement determines how healthcare will be provided to UK citizens when they travel to EU countries and vice versa. It has been a contentious issue since negotiations began, with fears that the end result will leave both parties worse off. As a professional, this article will delve deeper into the brexit healthcare agreement and what it means for UK citizens.
One of the key concerns with the healthcare agreement is the end of reciprocal healthcare arrangements. Previously, UK citizens visiting EU countries could access healthcare services as they would in the UK, and vice versa. However, following Brexit, the reciprocal agreement ended, leaving UK travellers without access to free healthcare in EU countries. To address this issue, both parties have agreed to provide emergency healthcare to each other`s citizens, but this does not cover planned or non-urgent healthcare services.
Another issue with the healthcare agreement is the impact on expats living in the EU. UK citizens living in EU countries and receiving healthcare services through the reciprocal agreement have been left in limbo as the agreement ended. The UK government has promised to cover healthcare costs for expats living in the EU until the end of 2020, but there is still uncertainty about what will happen after that.
In addition to the end of reciprocal healthcare arrangements, the brexit healthcare agreement also means the end of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC allowed UK citizens to access healthcare services in EU countries at a reduced cost or for free. Instead, the UK government has introduced the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which provides similar coverage but only in EU countries and not other countries around the world.
Overall, the brexit healthcare agreement has left UK citizens with limited access to healthcare in EU countries. While emergency healthcare services are still available, it is important for UK travellers to plan for the cost of healthcare services and ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance. Expats living in the EU will also need to consider how they will access healthcare services in the future.
As a professional, it is important to note that this issue will continue to develop as negotiations between the UK and the EU continue. Keeping up to date with the latest developments and providing accurate and informative content can ensure that readers are well informed about the brexit healthcare agreement and its impact on UK citizens.