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(Minister of State for
Health): Today, the Government is introducing the
Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill. This will provide
the Government with the powers that are needed to fund and
effectively implement arrangements for UK nationals to obtain
healthcare abroad after the UK exits the European Union (EU).
Current EU reciprocal healthcare arrangements enable UK nationals
to access healthcare when they live, study, work, or travel
abroad and visa-versa for EU citizens when in the UK. They give
people more life options, support tourism and businesses, and
healthcare cooperation. The UK also has a number of reciprocal
healthcare agreements with non-EU and EEA countries, such as
Australia and New Zealand.
These arrangements ensure that UK nationals living and working in
the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can access
healthcare in exchange for paying taxes and social security
contributions. The UK also funds healthcare abroad for a number
of current or former UK residents. This includes healthcare for
UK state pensioners who spend their retirement in the EU and
needs arising healthcare when UK residents visit the EU for
holiday or study through the European Healthcare Insurance Card
(EHIC) Scheme.
The Bill is part of the Government’s preparations for EU Exit and
will ensure that whatever the outcome of EU Exit, the Government
can take the necessary steps to continue reciprocal healthcare
arrangements or otherwise support UK residents to obtain
healthcare when they move to or visit the EU.
Presently, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has
limited domestic powers to fund and arrange healthcare outside of
the UK. When the UK leaves the EU the current EU regulations will
no longer be part of UK law and new legislation will be needed.
This Bill confers powers on the Secretary of State to make, and
arrange for payments to be made, in respect of the cost of
healthcare provided outside the UK. This would allow for the
funding of reciprocal healthcare arrangements for UK nationals
living in the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
The Bill also confers powers on the Secretary of State to make
regulations for and in connection with the provision of
healthcare abroad and to give effect to healthcare agreements
with other countries or territories (both EU and non-EU) or
supranational bodies such as the EU.
Finally, the Bill provides for the lawful processing of data
where necessary for purposes of implementing, operating or
facilitating the operation of reciprocal healthcare arrangements
or payments.
Current healthcare agreements benefit people in all parts of the
UK, assisting people to obtain healthcare when they are abroad.
The UK Government is therefore engaging with the devolved
administrations to deliver an approach that works for the whole
UK in a way that fully respects the devolution settlements.
The Bill underscores the Government’s commitment to reaching a
reciprocal healthcare agreement with the EU, or where necessary
making agreements with Member States, and to exploring potential
agreements with third countries in the future.
The Government welcomes the forthcoming scrutiny of the Bill, to
ensure that it achieves its aims for the continuation of
healthcare support for UK nationals in the EU, EEA and
Switzerland after the UK exits the EU, but also enabling the UK
to look to the future.
BILL
EXPLANATORY NOTES
