91996E0630

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0630/96 by Angela Billingham (PSE) to the Commission (13 March 1996)

Subject: Emergency health treatment

Is the Commission aware that non-EU nationals living in Britain, who are paying their full taxes and national insurance, are not entitled to the E111 form giving them cost-free emergency health treatment when they travel abroad?

Does the Commission feel that this is justifiable when these citizens are paying the same towards the EEA as any other British citizens?

Will the Commission investigate this anomaly and press the UK Government to rectify it?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1996)

The E111 form acts as a guarantee that the holder is insured for health care in the issuing Member State in order to enable the holder to receive emergency health care while on a short stay in another Member State. This scheme comes within the scope of Community Regulations nos (EEC) 1408/71 ((OJ L 149, 5.7.1971 - consolidated version OJ C 325, 10.12.1992. )) and (EEC) 574/72 ((OJ L 74, 27.3.1972 - consolidated version OJ C 325, 10.12.1992. )) on the coordination of the social security schemes of the countries of the European economic area (EEA).

The coordinating regulations, however, apply only to nationals of one of the countries of the EEA and to stateless people and refugees. For this reason those who do not have the nationality of one of the EEA countries ('third country nationals') cannot use the E111 system, which is governed by Article 22 of Regulation (EEC) no 1408/71, even when they are legally insured and pay taxes in one of the Member States. The United Kingdom, therefore, is acting in complete accordance with the current Community rules.

The Commission has been aware for some time of the problems created by the present situation, and for this reason a proposal was made on 26 June 1995 ((COM(95) 284 final - OJ C 242, 19.9.1995. )) to extend the scope of Article 22 of Regulation (EEC) no 1408/71 to nationals of third countries so that they could make use of the E111 sytem.

Unfortunately, this proposed amendment was not approved by the Council due to the fact that all amendments to the social security regulations must be approved unanimously. However, as announced in the medium term social action programme ((COM(95) 134 final. )), 1995-1997, the Commission intends to make another proposal in the second half of 1996 to extend to nationals of third countries the provisions on emergency health care as well as other limited benefits.