Chassaing

[quote user="ali-cat"]Why are the British Embassy still issuing information which is either not confirmed or contradicted by the French Authorities? [/quote] If they were a 58 year old lady with cancer waiting for her treatment, on a 'E106' that is about to run out they would know and be telling everyone.  Or are they waiting for someone to die before the subject becomes high profile enough? All credit to Mary Honeyball MEP!!!!!!

[quote user="ali-cat"] Why were citizens not informed of these proposals well in advance.  Until the recent press coverage no-one (including the ex-pat community,  relevant magazines,  internet forums,  immobiliers,  the British Embassy) etc were aware that these changes were in the offing.  This information would likely have prevented a significant proportion of those currently affected from making a costly and possibly life threatening decision; [/quote] IMHO, I believe there wasn't a thought of taking this action, but the 'NEW' French Government has had to act quickly in response to the budget deficits. Either way, it hasn't been thought through.  I just hope no one dies as a direct result, which could be a real possibility if the MEPs don't start looking into this closer and more quickly. (Wakey wakey!)   Furthermore, I'm not sure that this is a health issue, it may be a 'Immigration Issue.' Only time will tell.

[quote user="ali-cat"]What is the status of current E106 and E121 holders?  Are they currently affiliated to CMU? [/quote] The answer to this one is 'NO'.  WE know this to be true as we spent an hour with CPAM yesterday trying to join CMU for 6 months ahead of March 2008.  This is why the problem is hidden, people think they have until March 31 2008.  Those in the CMU drop out at the end of March.  If you are a E106 holder you will need health insurance from the expiry until you get a E121.  That could be tomorrow.....   (and they might not even know!) Wake up people and start shouting harder.......

[quote user="cooperlola"]I have wondered about "signing on" here, even though I neither want nor need a job.  If all the ex-pats below 65 did this, it would be quite a shock for the French unemployment figures, as the chances of our actually finding work are pretty miniscule.[/quote] I can just picture queues of UK pre-pensioners outside the job centres.  Chanting, "Give us a job!"  The film 'The full monty' comes to mind! Saw this the other day, it made me think...... http://carnival-of-anarchy.blogspot.com/2007/09/work-should-make-you-free.html

[quote user="sunshine"]Yes - Cooperola writes so well about not wishing to line the pockets of the insurance companies but preferring to give the French govt the relevant amount to pay towards their health service.  What would work well, though it's never going to happen, is for pre-retirement age Brits to obtain an E121 early by paying the British Health service the sum that they would then pay the French health service for each person with an E121.  I believe the UK pays the France 3,000 euros per person on an E121.  At least that way all those with pre-exisitng conditions would get cover, no questions asked.[/quote] Great idea, possibly far too sensible. :)

[quote user="kwaito"]So Lebois, the stuff on the Embassy website about the reprieve until March 2008 holds no water? Does anyone have the phone nos for the companies and insurance brokers as am getting no reply to emails (deluged no doubt)? Would it be prudent to wait a few months as new policies tailor made for this may come out and be cheaper, or do you think the cos will up their tarifs to take advantage of us all? [/quote] The 'stuff' on the websites is great if you you are in CMU, but we were are in the gap.  Our E106 has just run out and we are now new applicants to CMU, response, sorry! That will be the same for all E106 holders that run out before March 31st 2008. Apparently, there are over 6000 E106s issued per year, so about 500 a month will start to drop out from now, then at the end of March all the CMU members drop out the system (who knows how many). We are working on our problem and of course be altuistic with our information when we have something useful to offer.  The E121 is the ticket to get.   But the destination of the French Health System is unnown, we didn't cause the financial problems.  You could always pitch up at the job centre at 58-9 or 63-4 years old and ask for a job!

One thing to remember....  The budget deficits were not 'caused' by us, so by not letting us contribute to the French Health System, the problem won't just go away.   We have paid in all our lives and are still willing so to do.  'Freedom of movement' comes with a price....................

[quote user="cooperlola"]I can understand that paying "what the French pay" could still be construed as not enough.  The point about universal state healthcare is that one pays into it in the "healthy" (we hope) years, to finance the "unhealthy" ones.  We've paid during the former to the UK and the French state would then be financing the latter - which I can see is a problem - and great fun for a "reforming" president to chuck around in sound-bite form.  Which is why, it seems to me, with so much movement within the EU now, this problem has to be addressed at European level - it is just pushing the problem around to leave it up to individual member countries to interpret as they wish.  Each country's problems may be different but they are certainly inter-linked.[/quote] Nice one!  And as the budget deficits are causing some grief.........  someone has to pay more and someone has to loose the care.  Simple!  The clock it ticking until 31 March 2008 for the main effect.

[quote user="makfai"][quote user="cooperlola"]  One of the things which really riles me about all this, is that many (well, me, I guess - can't speak for anybody else) would far rather pay more and stay in the national system here, than give the money to an industry whose motive is profit, not our welfare. [/quote] I'm with you on this.  I would rather there was a system which allowed the money to go to the state than into the coffers of insurance companies.  Trouble is that the EU Directive chose the private health insurance option and the EU countries are just falling in line with those provisions. [/quote] Us too! Our health insurance man has working hard to find us a choice of policies to cover us, we are healthy!  They must be rubbing their hands with glee. I only hope we can make it to the  Monday afternoon meeting before being given a one way ticket back to UK. Lucky I went to Specsavers!

[quote user="ali-cat"]But do you honestly see the French Govenrment, or in fact the French people, being happy allowing un-working Brits to receive healthcare, when long-term unemployed French people can't? [/quote] After blaming the inflated housing markets on the Brit Retirees and second home buyers.  Having seen the size of the Health System deficits, I wonder how Mr Sarkozy will explain away the deficits next year after 'ethnically cleansing' the system this year.  His policies for growth will obviously fail against the tide of global recession, unemployment will grow (inspite of his 'work makes you free' attitude) and the focus will be back on him.  Obviously, an influx of new 'French Nationals'  won't help his position so I agree with you.  We are without health cover now, but his systems will be a lot sicker when we get our E121. I wonder how he will feel when the World Health Orgainisation downgrades the French Health Service.

[quote user="BJSLIV"]If things go as the French government plan nobody is scheduled to be be thrown out of the French system before the end of the year. If you are currently paying your 8%  then the deadline is March/April next year. The earliest victims would be anyone whose E106 runs out at the end of this year.[/quote] Hi everyone, we are 2 of the early victims; however, it all depends on how the health insurance companies handle this, how bad it is going to be. For most early retirees the gap between the E106 and E121 will be small.  Like us it is 19 months.  All we need is cover so anything like the CMU would be a relief.  That said, it is the people who need treatment and soon have the problem, hopefully the EC will do something for them.

Hi everyone!  Like you we have been lobbying MEPs and UK MPs and started Lobbying our insurance company today and have a meeting on Monday.  What response has the EC questions had, if any?  Does anyone know? Regards

Hi everyone,  we are 2 healthy active Francofiles, of the few that have just completed their E106 cover waiting to join and pay into the French System, with a 19 month gap prior to the E121 arriving.  After 2 weeks of discussions with our CPAM man, who has been very helpful and genuinely unhappy not to be able to help, we have admitted to ourselves that the French system is closed to us. Even though we have been here and 'in' the system for 2 1/2 years, we have no extension until March 2008. We are chasing our complimetary insurance provider (AGF) this afternoon, to see if they are gearing up to this 'situation'.  That said, I had this promising reply today which indicates that these guys are on the case to fill the gap. We have been without health cover for a few weeks because the French system doesn't know what is going on and the health insurance wasn't ready for this change (complimentary insurance is invalid with no E106).  I hope this post helps others feel less alone.  (I have no affilliation with the company below) We have joined you guys in lobbying all and sundary as we believe the French Governments decision is not legal and against human rights. Thanks for all the support this forum offers to people like us. Thank you for your email. We do offer a range of Full Cover Policies, the details of which can be found on our website  www.exclusivehealthcare.com All the Full Cover Plans are subject to underwriting and acceptance of the terms are required. Following completion of the medical questions the insurers reserve the right to ask for special terms or to decline the proposal. We are also developing a new range of policies to meet the needs of the changed situation. Once these policies have been finalised the details  will be sent to you by email and you will be able to find them on our website  www.exclusivehealthcare.com   The home page of our website www.exclusivehealthcare.com does contain information of the current situation regarding CMU and is regularly updated.   Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.   Kind regards Polly Parsons EXCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE  tel:0870 449175