Fears over impact of health changes for disabled people

Maryhoneyball THE problems thrown up by President Sarkozy's plans to restrict access to health services has thrown up many questions and comments.

The new rules will mean people who are under retirement age, and not working, who move to France from the end of this month will need to take out private medical insurance.

But Euro MP Mary Honeyball has raised the issue of how disabled Britons will be able to get medical insurance for pre-existing conditions, claiming this goes against European Union laws.

Mary Honeyball MEP said: "Forcing disabled ex-pats out of the national health care system is a despicable attack on the most vulnerable. Many Brirish people resident in France who have pre-existing conditions will not be able to obtain private cover for those conditions."

Mary Honeyball is representing several former constituents, including Karen Sage, a former police officer who was badly injured in the line of duty.

If Karen Sage were to become a victim of President’s Sarkozy’s crack down, it could spell disaster for her and her husband. Unable to afford private health provision in France, the only other alternative would be to return to the UK.

Mary Honeyball has written to the European Commission asking them to urgently investigate whether these changes represent a breach of European Union laws and is also seeking urgent clarification from the British Embassy in Paris.

Update (06/10/07)
Round up of French health changes