Chassaing

Mind the Gap in French HealthcareExpats excluded from the CMU can avoid returning to the UK by obtaining public medical cover through self-employment, writes Finn Skovgaard. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml;jsessionid=2PHVAKB2NKQZXQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/global/2008/01/18/french-healthcare.xml

[quote user="max"]hello very good points, nobody should be left without cover. however if you worked in england and payed all your ni there and never in france why then should france pay for your cover. there is not enough money for the french. max[/quote] Hi Max,  my wife and I are fit and well and been forced into the private healthcare route. We have really worked hard, in fact so hard, we were able to receive our work pensions early.  Our calculations show that we are about 50 Euros a month worse off than the CMU route. So financially we are not 'dying in a ditch' over this issue.  However, we feel very deeply for the people who have been smacked in the face by the change in policy and don't understand the reasons why, apart from the obvious political glory. Our wish would be for the European Government sort to this issue out pronto. You make a very good point about the French health system deficits, why were fit and healthy people from other Eurpoean States, who have not received any French healthcare, expected to contribute to help pay off the deficit (not our debt). When they could have taken out private healthcare.  Our answer is, because that is how Universal Healthcare works, people who can put in and the people who need the care take out, as part of a civilised society.  The problem is the people who have been paying in all their lives are now getting to a stage in their lives when they need care, but the money has been spent by others. (There is no pot of cash, just a pot of debt) We will be watching the news for the annual statement on French Government (FG) figures, as we believe the FG has made a really bad decision.

[quote user="Scooby"]When we went it was during the winter when the main museum was closed.  We just walked into the village - there were no locked gates or paypoints etc as I recall. [/quote] Yes that is right, there are gates at the back which are open all year round to allow visitors to pay their respects.

Hi Cooperlola, Excellently put and I guess very generous to the FG.  After all the FG has previously worked out the ‘sums’ and dictated the laws on how we have had to pay. We have done what they have wanted! The short-medium term problem of the healthcare budget deficits causing the FG hassles is one thing but to ‘carte blache’ eject EU citizens is evidence of ‘knee jerk’ and not thought through policy.  Look how long it is taking them to make the 'final' decision. Personally I will be looking forward to the next annual budget figures to see how much improvement has been made, if any.

Striking French Transit Workers Back On the Job, at Negotiating Table Nine-day French transport strike appears to be drawing to a close as many local union committees voted to suspend their stoppage. Source:  http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=3902519&page=1

A little more coverage..... http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/bid+to+save+free+french+healthcare/1048747

Here is another bit of the action.....  Same article, different paper. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/mortgages/homesabroad/article.html?in_article_id=426276&in_page_id=&ito=1565

More coverage.....    Well done Cooperlola and the whole team! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=493382&in_page_id=1811&ito=1490

Some more action: “Parliamentary Questions Asked by Gary Streeter MP”http://www.conservativesabroad.org/blog/?p=222

5 views for the price of one.  http://www.helium.com/channels/565-Politics-in-Europe/knowledge/59559-french-presidential-election

Thank you so much Vervialle for all your valuable information.  There has been loads of natural food this year, so we are assuming the baby will have 'bulked up' by the hibernation season.  Furthermore, the corner of the garden in which they hibernate is very sheltered.  We hope they breed again next year so that they keep the slug numbers down.

Hi Guys, We have a standing charge of 48 Euros per 6 months and 1.17 Euros per Cubic Metre of water used.  We have a pool and our bill has not been above 200 Euros for the year. Hope this helps....

[quote user="sweet 17"]Thanks, lebois.  Will use some of what's in the article to challenge my French teacher's total opposition to Sarkozy.  Not that I am a great admirer of Sarkozy, far from it.  But I like winding the teacher up and mention of Sarkozy never fails to do that![/quote] Yes Sweet 17, it is similar very similar all around here, the S name shouldn't be mentioned. So we just say the 'short person'.  We were warned by the 'sociable' locals about the possible anti British policies back in April but we just thought is was just chat for the election.  The article is quite pro-short person, but there are some 'alternative' movies on you tube. I wonder if your teacher knows about them? All the best.

Another review of Sarkozy (in PDF) http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/articles/2007/11france/11france.pdf

This little fellow thought he'd take an early morning swim.  Lucky I was able to help him out and offer a towel. (Photo taken in July 07) . [IMG]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc35/lebois_album/in_the_swim_1.jpg[/IMG]

This year we have had loads of slugs, but we hope to see more Hedgehogs as we think they are so cute.  This little Herrison came out during the day, quite rare to see them like this. (Photo taken in July) [IMG]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc35/lebois_album/herisson.jpg[/IMG]

[quote user="Clair"]The same Leggett view was quoted in another twelve or so sites... It's quite worrying that such misinformation can be so easily exchanged without any checks being made or other views being sought. [/quote] Isn't he an Estate Agent?   Well.....   ;-)

Hi everyone, just a little place we call home.  [IMG]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc35/lebois_album/lebois.jpg[/IMG]

[quote user="Will"]News items from BBC local radio today: "Thousands take to the streets to protest about changes in healthcare provision" No, nothing to do with France. It was about proposed downgrading of certain Sussex hospitals. But why are those affected by the proposed French changes not marching on Sarko's Paris residence? [/quote] Good idea, but I think it is worth watching to see what happens with the big boys first...  If he doesn't listen to these guys then the EU has to be the better route, IMHO. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=United+Kingdom+%26+Europe&month=October2007&file=World_News2007102792827.xml

[quote user="cooperlola"]They probably get their information from British MEPs.[/quote] Ha ha ha!  Nice one!

Of course, she told her the truth, and the lady was shocked!

[quote user="audbarn"]We're moving to France in January and not sure whether to take the patio heater (not very green I know)  Do they have calor gas or equivalent there and are they adaptable to fit a UK model? [/quote] France is going very green: http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2007/10/26/news/world/20071026_world_65.txt

[quote user="cooperlola"] Financially, if existing and chronic conditions do get covered by the CMU then that will be a victory for us, but as you say, a nonsense as far as cost savings go.  But, as I and others on here have often thought, it just re-inforces the idea that this is a political move and that "foreigners" are an easy target.  "Look, I'm doing something to save you money, and it won't affect you!" is a great political message, isn't it? It offends only those who have no right to vote.  Humph.[/quote]  I agree Cooperlola.  My good lady wife runs a local choir, when she came back last night she told me that the English had been asked by a French lady, "How is it that you English get healthcare without paying into our system?"   Obviously the word is getting out from somewhere! 

Today we went out to test the French Healthcare System without a Carte Vitale and just our Full Healthcare. OK it was just a Dental Xray, but it reminded me of this  video. Enjoy a few truths..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JJ-tK7-gIk PS. The Xray cost us €30.

One down! http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article390529.ece One to go!  http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/healthinFrance/ Please  keep bashing your friends.......  I don't have any friends anymore...  :)