The Briefing Room

General Category => World News => Topic started by: EC on May 30, 2013, 09:15:33 am

Title: EU sues Spain over hospitals' rejection of EU health card
Post by: EC on May 30, 2013, 09:15:33 am

Via the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22714147

Quote

The European Commission is taking legal action against Spain over the refusal of some of its hospitals to recognise the European Health Insurance Card.

The EHIC entitles EU citizens to free healthcare in public hospitals.

But some Spanish hospitals rejected the card and told tourists to reclaim the cost of treatment via their travel insurance, the Commission says.

More at link.

For those who don't know - the entire EU (including the UK) has a reciprocal health care agreement. If I fall sick in France, I can be treated, just as the French guy who falls sick in the UK can. It normally balances out, except in Spain. Seems like half of Europe retires there so you can imagine the strain on their health service.