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Foreign patients owe millions to the NHS

Foreign patients owe millions to the NHS

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Since health care is supposed to be free in England, I don't understand why the hospitals are concerned with billing patients for treatment. Clearly, health care is a right and we shouldn't worry about unimportant things like costs or budgets.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/sep/14/nhs.health

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A right few have in this world.

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Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
Since health care is supposed to be free in England, I don't understand why the hospitals are concerned with billing patients for treatment. Clearly, health care is a right and we shouldn't worry about unimportant things like costs or budgets.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/sep/14/nhs.health
I guess it comes down to the fact that helathcare should be free for people / taxpayers of the country

Otherwise you get a situation where by health toursist pop over for treatment and then leave the country, thus taking up resources / drugs / services etc and hence reducing the UK popluations healthcare options because they (the health trusts) can not afford expensive life saving treatments for say cancer victims as a proportion of money has been used on the "health tourist" who have not contributed to the cost of the NHS via their taxes.

So whilst I agree that costs and budgets should nbot have an effect, trhe reality is that they do.

I think that the population of the country should be givern free health care and all other people should take out inusrance from other nations

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Originally posted by RSMA1234
I guess it comes down to the fact that helathcare should be free for people / taxpayers of the country

Otherwise you get a situation where by health toursist pop over for treatment and then leave the country, thus taking up resources / drugs / services etc and hence reducing the UK popluations healthcare options because they (the health trusts) can not a ...[text shortened]... be givern free health care and all other people should take out inusrance from other nations
This is a common misconception. These foreigners are not getting treatment for free legally, they are being billed and then avoiding payment.

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Originally posted by Palynka
This is a common misconception. These foreigners are not getting treatment for free legally, they are being billed and then avoiding payment.
But if it's free, then why the bill?

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Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
But if it's free, then why the bill?
And thats the point, who cares they just leave the country.....its not like they are going to send debt hunters for them across the ocean / sea / land mass....

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Originally posted by Palynka
This is a common misconception. These foreigners are not getting treatment for free legally, they are being billed and then avoiding payment.
When you go to the shop and buy a product or service, if you do not pay the bill at the shop or later, then this is known as stealing....the reality is if you are going to die then you will be willing to do most things to live (in general)......and if you are treating that person then you also know that......so if you ask for payment up front and they do not pay.....what do you do ? And as the person standing their bleeding for example.....

So yes legally that is correct, but bottom line is that people do "pop" over and other do need help for live saving ops for example, but who is paying all this in the end ?

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Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
Since health care is supposed to be free in England, I don't understand why the hospitals are concerned with billing patients for treatment. Clearly, health care is a right and we shouldn't worry about unimportant things like costs or budgets.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/sep/14/nhs.health
This is a nice example of how subsidizing something drives the cost of that product up -- in this case incurring the cost of becoming a target of fraud. Anything that is free and has value will have more demand than it can handle. The cost of higher security/vigilance has to be added into the price tag.

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Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
But if it's free, then why the bill?
nothing is free, you just pay it some other time (in taxes)

this is anther DSR masterpiece: a link, omitting facts, not posting any opinions or solutions and letting us argue among ourselves.

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Originally posted by Zahlanzi
nothing is free, you just pay it some other time (in taxes)

this is anther DSR masterpiece: a link, omitting facts, not posting any opinions or solutions and letting us argue among ourselves.
But if the person getting treatment does not pay taxes in the country of treatment, then the local pop picks up the bill

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Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
But if it's free, then why the bill?
Can you read? It's only free for residents.

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Originally posted by Palynka
Can you read? It's only free for residents.
Actually it is effect free for all........as even if you get the bill as a tourist, most donl;t pay

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Originally posted by Palynka
Can you read? It's only free for residents.
Why? That seems selfish. If a rich country like England can help a few Algerians here or there, then what's the difference? You should feel glad to be of service.

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Originally posted by RSMA1234
But if the person getting treatment does not pay taxes in the country of treatment, then the local pop picks up the bill
the alternative would be the american way: "pay up front or you don't get the treatment. pay or die, maggot"

the problem with americans is the american way is applied to american taxpayers as well.

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Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
Why? That seems selfish. If a rich country like England can help a few Algerians here or there, then what's the difference? You should feel glad to be of service.
I know you also don't believe that argument, so I won't even bother trying to convince you of something you already agree on.