Health care post Brexit....

[Admiral]

I read in a couple of journals that the new Government White paper on Brexit contains no proposals on health care; either for EU nationals living in the UK or Brit ex-pats living in the EU.

Sooo....the question is really simple: does that mean the end of the Carte Vitale for Brits in France and, also possibly, the end of health benefits gained using the EHIC card?

Given that allowing reciprocal benefits to British ex-pats living in France, and vice versa, lies with the British government does this mean we are about to be cast adrift when it comes to health care?

This is not meant as a scare tactic but something I want a sensible answer to given that the outcome will have a massive influence on whether I and Madame Admiral remain in France or look for somewhere more accommodating to live.

Has your family GP, for instance, given you the inside track on this?  Do we trust politcians to look after our best interests?

No doubt this thread will get plenty of views and, sadly, very few sensible answers, but if you do have some grown-up knowledge please post.

[Fred]

It is unfortunately one of those things that I think no one can answer. The Brexit is going to cause all sorts of problems and all of these things are going to have to be thrashed out from both sides one at a time, but that can't happen till they push the button. Even then my understanding is that after pushing the button it will be around 2 years+ before it's all signed sealed and delivered, and also I will stand corrected but I think even before the final signing the UK can still change it's mind. Also the EU members can refuse to accept the exit anyway as far as I know, but I'm no expert on it and to be honest I've given up worrying about as it's going to be a long long time.

If it helps I can give you my personal thoughts about the healthcare we receive and will continue to receive as Brits living in France.

#1 Myself and Mrs Fred are registered in the French healthcare system and have been for over 12 years now, we both have a Carte Vitale but no EHIC.

#2 I am registered as an affection de longue durée (ALD) basicaly a lifetime illness that needs regular treatment. I have had the ALD for around 8 years now and it gives me 100%  

#3 Myself and Mrs Fred also both have Couverture maladie universelle (CMU) which covers us for any additional costs like your insurance would. This is means tested annually and as we have low income we always get it. We have been getting this for around 6 years.

#4 Mrs Fred also gets a medical check up with the La sécurité sociale agricole (MSA) as she worked in that sector for a few years. I am also under the same system as her dependent.

So my thinking is after the length of time we have had these benefits I can't see how they can suddenly say "that's it you have to pay or leave" the treatment I get is already paid for by the French government so I'm assuming even after Brexit it will carry on as such.

Like I said I'm not an expert and I don't believe either side knows how it's going to go, but they are surely going to have to have some sort of reciprocal agreement in place as there are lot of French and Brits living/working in each others countries.  

I can understand peoples concerns and for anyone living here less than 5 years I would be more worried, but that is just me thinking it's a figure they would aim for. I think the best thing we can do is get on and enjoy our lives here as we did before and wait and see what Brexit throws up and then take it one step at a time.

No I don't trust the politicians to sort out our healthcare or Brexit, but they are the ones elected and we don't really have a choice. Personally I think life for me will be just the same in France as it has been, if it means taking French citizenship (which I have heard could be in the offering for those living here over 5 years) then I'll take it as my life is and will be better off than it will in Blighty.

I meet often with a few different departments of Poitiers hospital and no one there has given me any insights as to what could happen. Neither has our GP and to be honest, I think they are just like us and don't know.

Sorry Admiral it's probably not much help with grown-up knowledge bit as it's based on my personal opinion.

[Brian]

People like Fred & Mrs Fred have been here some years and are firmly in the French system. I think France will continue to look after them.

For those of us who are newer residents, or less closely linked to the system, I fear that the only answer is 'nobody knows'.

We all know that 'Brexit means Brexit' (© T. May) but no-one knows what 'Brexit means Brexit' means.
At one extreme it seems to promise a complete exit of the UK from Europe while insisting that EU treatment of the UK does not change. At the other, UK plc becomes a subsidiary of Trump (the smell of success) plc and we'll all be compelled to join expensive golf clubs and install gold lifts in our houses.

Either way, I'm scared...

[Admiral]

Thanks for that chaps.

At the last time of looking this thread had gained nearly 200 views - and only two replies which rather suggests we are all in the same boat; nobody knows what is going to happen.

Interesting thought Fred on a possible "time limit" of having lived in France.  Five years is as good a guess as anything I could come up with.

I have a strange feeling that recipricol "rights" won't be sorted out until the very last minute.  The EU will see us ex-pats in Europe as a big bargaining lever and likewise Madame May in Great Britain Plc will see the work/health rights of EU nationals living in the UK as the same thing.  "You treat our people fairly and we'll make sure your people are OK" sort of thing.

Of course this type of bargaining tool only needs a Trump-like figure in Europe (or the UK) to have a Trump-like hissy fit and we're all doomed.  A lot depends, I think, on how the EU are going to view us leaving their cosy collective club.  I note Merkel and that funny little chap Hollande have already displayed signs on a Trump-like stamping of the foot - how dare we leave etc etc.

Add to that the distinct possibility that the euro as a "one size fits all" currency will probably collapse in the next few years adds a certain frisson to the whole proceedings.

We live in exciting and uncertain times but surely that's the joy of the whole thing because at the end of the day we're pawns in a game that no-one can foretell the outcome of.

As for being scared Brian, there ain't no reason to be unless...........The Donald has an almighty strop over something, swamps Twitter with his petulant ten-year-old spoiled brat outbursts and then presses the nuclear button.

In that scenario healthcare don't really come into it.

[Brian]

Further to the Trump situation I was interested to see that among the 32 new companies he has registered since his inauguration there are a few that are UK based - including Trump Wind plc.

Being the sort of chap that regards The Beano as informed journalism it raised a chuckle...

[Fred]

Do you mind. I read the Beano and it has always been my source of informed information. .................... Ok I did once switch to the Dandy But I prefer the Beano.  

I think the Brexit thing has and will cause all sorts of problems for us all (even those that wanted it to happen) but at the end of the day I have to look at and work for what I feel is best for myself and Mrs Fred. The way I'm reading it at the moment is that the UK is going to be a new state of the USA and that is not something I would like, so I look at it and think "would I rather take my chances in a UK influenced by the USA or France influenced by the EU" Give me France any day. I'm happy here and have a good life so why would I want to be a part of a UK/USA run country?

There is no Great Britain any-more it's gone and will never be coming back. Brexit has caused division and it's maybe time we decided which side we want to stand on. All I can say is that for me personally the side of Europe gives me a more comfortable and pleasant life.

I actually voted out in the 70s but I'm now very happy that we stayed in, it has given me so much oprtunity and I'm grateful. Now we are coming out (sometime, maybe, whenever) I would rather wave goodbye to Blighty now and just get on with it. That isn't going to happen for a long time, so I have decided to just enjoy my life here as it was and see what happens. Should I have to decide, I will be sad to say goodbye to the UK but if (and I do believe it will be) I will leave them to it and stay in France. That is my priority as I enjoy it here and feel that the UK is not somewhere I would want to live now or in the future.

I'm surprised we haven't had more Brexit conversations on AMF but it just goes to prove, that most of us a to laid back enjoying our life to worry about it.

See what Brexit brings (if it does) and then decide what is best for you as an individual.

My advice to those living here would be, get in the system now and you will be fine. For those thinking of coming out here to live, do it before you get stuck on the rotten sinking ship and it's too late.