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The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), often seen as an alternative to travel insurance at least in terms of the cover it offers for medical expenses, has fallen under the spotlight of UK officials after a newspaper investigation.
A report by The Sun saw newspaper representatives successfully apply for the card with names including “Theresa May” and “Donald Trump”, and utilising fake national identification numbers.
The program, which allows cardholders to pick up emergency treatment across the European Union while they are travelling or working, can also be used in the UK for European travellers – giving them access to the National Health Service.
“This loophole has to be investigated, including actual costs, and closed,” Sarah Wollaston, Tory chair of the Health Committee in the House of Commons, tweeted, as reported by Politico.eu. According to the report, Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow health secretary, also noted that he would like an investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Conservative MP, reportedly told The Sun that the scheme is “open to fraud” and “we should use Brexit to make systems like this much more efficient.”
It was agreed during the initial stage of Brexit talks that Brits who began their stay in Europe, or vice versa, ahead of the divorce date, should remain eligible to benefits from the EHIC. What happens to the program post-Brexit remains unclear.
What do you think of the European Health Insurance Card? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
