Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
May 22nd 2010 | 7:28 pm
#1
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Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
Hi, I´ll keep this as brief as possible because I realise it´s not most the most riveting topic for a Sunday morning. It may however be of interest to those British residents currently having healthcare cover either through private medical insurance, "dummy" autonomos or the Valencian cuota scheme.
A bill has been recently introduced in Congress which, if approved, would require the Government to introduce a residence-based healthcare system in Spain from the start of 2011. Effectively, anyone living here would have free access to healthcare without the requirement of paying into the Social Security system. This has not just come "out of the blue" but is a step in process which started in back September 2009 when a similar (but non-binding) motion was unanimously approved in Congress. Although the current bill has the support of the Government in principle, it has not yet agreed to the timetable or (I believe) some of the details regarding public sector workers.
A bill has been recently introduced in Congress which, if approved, would require the Government to introduce a residence-based healthcare system in Spain from the start of 2011. Effectively, anyone living here would have free access to healthcare without the requirement of paying into the Social Security system. This has not just come "out of the blue" but is a step in process which started in back September 2009 when a similar (but non-binding) motion was unanimously approved in Congress. Although the current bill has the support of the Government in principle, it has not yet agreed to the timetable or (I believe) some of the details regarding public sector workers.
Last edited by LittleWeed; May 22nd 2010 at 7:31 pm.
May 22nd 2010 | 7:31 pm
#2
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,330
From: my paradise - Jávea
Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
Hi, I´ll keep this as brief as possible because I realise it´s not most the most riveting topic for a Sunday morning. It may however be of interest to those British residents currently having healthcare cover either through private medical insurance, "dummy" autonomos or the Valencian cuota scheme.
A bill has been recently introduced in Congress which, if approved, would require the Government to introduce a residence-based healthcare system in Spain from the start of 2011. Effectively, anyone living here would have free access to healthcare without the requirement of paying into the Social Security system. This has not just come "out of the blue" but is a step in process which started in back September 2009 when a similar (but non-binding) motion was unanimously approved in Congress. Although the current bill has the support of the Government in principle, it has not yet agreed to the timetable or (I believe) some of the details regarding public sector workers.
If approved, Spain will have a healthcare system very similar to the NHS.
A bill has been recently introduced in Congress which, if approved, would require the Government to introduce a residence-based healthcare system in Spain from the start of 2011. Effectively, anyone living here would have free access to healthcare without the requirement of paying into the Social Security system. This has not just come "out of the blue" but is a step in process which started in back September 2009 when a similar (but non-binding) motion was unanimously approved in Congress. Although the current bill has the support of the Government in principle, it has not yet agreed to the timetable or (I believe) some of the details regarding public sector workers.
If approved, Spain will have a healthcare system very similar to the NHS.
May 22nd 2010 | 8:37 pm
#3
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From: East Sussex
Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
In the absence of money many plans will fail to be started.
May 22nd 2010 | 9:23 pm
#4
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Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
My feeling too - the country´s so strapped for cash it could well get put on the back burner again. 
The estimated cost, though, is not is that great- under 150 million euros in overall healthcare budget of 64,000 million (about 0.25% of the total spend).
The estimated cost, though, is not is that great- under 150 million euros in overall healthcare budget of 64,000 million (about 0.25% of the total spend).
May 22nd 2010 | 10:55 pm
#5
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From: Costa Blanca
Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
150 million probably used to be small fry but is now a lot of money when you consider that the wages of the civil servants are being reduced to save money. And if this also applies to the health workers (and I think it does) I await with interest to see their reaction - more patients, less money.
Yes doubtless all early retirees etc would love to see this but can they actually expect during these difficult times.
Yes doubtless all early retirees etc would love to see this but can they actually expect during these difficult times.
May 24th 2010 | 2:37 am
#6
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 131
From: Spain
Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
This is extremely interesting. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Do you have any links for reference to read? Cheers.
May 24th 2010 | 6:18 am
#7
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Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
Hi, these three links pretty much summarize the story;
The vote in Congress Sept 2009 asking the Govt to take whatever measures necessary to guarantee a universal and free healthcare system.
http://www.europapress.es/salud/noti...929195303.html
A report on the Government response in April in which they agree but without specifying a timetable:
http://www.bolinf.es/wp/?p=20004
Finally a report on the binding motion in front of Congress on 10/05/2010 which would require the Govt to put the system in place on 01/01/2011.
http://www.bolinf.es/wp/?p=20004
It looks all of the political parties agree that this should be done, it´s more case of when and , perhaps, whether there´s any money left at all.
The vote in Congress Sept 2009 asking the Govt to take whatever measures necessary to guarantee a universal and free healthcare system.
http://www.europapress.es/salud/noti...929195303.html
A report on the Government response in April in which they agree but without specifying a timetable:
http://www.bolinf.es/wp/?p=20004
Finally a report on the binding motion in front of Congress on 10/05/2010 which would require the Govt to put the system in place on 01/01/2011.
http://www.bolinf.es/wp/?p=20004
It looks all of the political parties agree that this should be done, it´s more case of when and , perhaps, whether there´s any money left at all.
May 25th 2010 | 3:05 am
#8
What mysterious smile?
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 131
From: Spain
Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
Thanks LittleWeed,
What an interesting Bulletin. I will keep checking to see how the proposal progresses. Cheers.
What an interesting Bulletin. I will keep checking to see how the proposal progresses. Cheers.
Jun 27th 2010 | 8:17 pm
#9
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Re: Proposed changes to Spanish healthcare system
Hi, for the folks who are interested in these changes, here´s a link to an article on the front page of this mornings El PaÃs. The Government will introduce legislation in November to complete the universalization of health care. This has already been agreed with the PP as the first point in the "Pacto por La Sandidad". Whilst details of the legislation aren´t as yet public, the proposals agreed previously have always included foreign residents.
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/socie...lpepisoc_3/Tes
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/socie...lpepisoc_3/Tes
