Dear All, Many thanks to everyone who has been sending e-mails, please keep them coming and they will all be answered in due course. Do also feel free to cross post my posts into more relevant threads as I am sorry I do not have time to follow all of you. The story was on BBC1 TV 1pm news and is scheduled but not guaranteed to appear on the 6pm and 10pm bulletins. It also appeared in yesterday's Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/25/nexpats125.xml Mary has submitted a question to the European Commission yesterday asking them to take action on this matter. The question said: "Is the Commission aware that as of 30th September 2007 the French government is going to require all British ex-pats living in France who are under the age of 65 and not working to take out private medical insurance at great expense? This matter has been brought to my attention by a former constituent who is unable to work due to a disability and may be forced to move her family back to the UK as they are unable to meet the high costs of private health insurance? Due to a pre-existing medical condition it will be virtually impossible for her to obtain reasonably priced health insurance. Would the Commission accept that an exception should be made for those with pre-existing conditions? Does the Commission see this requirement to purchase private health insurance as a restriction on the free movement of citizens within the EU and the rights to reside in any member state, and will it consider taking action to rectify this?" Mary is now working with European Colleagues whose nationals are also affected, in particular Proinsas de Rossas from the Irish Labour Party. Any suggestions for further relevant questions please e-mail suggestions to
[email protected] We are expecting further media coverage tomorrow. Keep on campaigning! Many thanks, Abigail Wood Assistant to Mary Honeyball MEP
