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> The NHS surcharge predates Brexit and was over concerns of "medical tourism" by foreigners (ab)using the free NHS. > If we assume this was a legitimate conce

> The NHS surcharge predates Brexit and was over concerns of "medical tourism" by foreigners (ab)using the free NHS. > If we assume this was a legitimate concern It was not. It was actually a profit centre for the NHS as they can (and did) charge foreigners. Makes a good story though. > then there's a bunch of measures one can potentially take Force people to take private medical insurance, problem solved. I am utterly shocked the small state, pro free markets party didn't come up with this groundbreaking idea on their own.

okeuro49 2y ago
>It was not. It was actually a profit centre for the NHS as they can (and did) charge foreigners. Makes a good story though. "Migrants coming to work, study or join family members currently receive free NHS treatment in the same way as a permanent resident. The changes, part of the Immigration Act which became law last year, will ensure that migrants make a proper financial contribution to the cost of their NHS care." https://www.gov.uk/government/news/migrant-health-surcharge-to-raise-200-million-a-year https://www.gov.uk/government/news/migrant-health-surcharge-...
- blitzar 2y ago
  > receive free NHS treatment in the same way as a permanent resident and pay tax in the same way as a permanent resident > will ensure that migrants make a proper financial contribution to the cost of their NHS care They already made the exact same "financial contribution to the cost of their NHS care" as a non migrant, tax. The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/306/contents/made https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/306/contents/made