mikelincs

The problem with that is that she will still have to pay, she is not a UK resident, so can't access free healthcare, and in the current political climate they are checking on everyone.

spouse of scouse

I know what you mean Mike, but if the OP returned with the intention of living in the UK, even for 6 months, then she would be eligible to use the NHS immediately. She's only been gone a month.

civilservant

This makes me want to beat my head into a wall. As a healthcare finance worker, I can tell you that people in this situation cost thousands in reimbursed care every year. I don't agree with Trump and Republicans on much, but on this subject I do. What ever happened to personal responsibility? Why is it the job of TX tax payers to bail the OP out of this situation? You haven't even paid one dime into the system!

OP - Go get yourself some insurance. You should not have waited this long, pregnant or not. Assuming the VA won't cover you (and I find it very unlikely they will) you'll need to get insurance through the health exchanges. This pregnancy is going to cost you a lot of money - you should be aware of that from the get go. This is not a situation that you can wait to address, it must be addressed now.

That last part does not jive well with insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

tom169

I've heard of people getting part time jobs at Starbucks to get their health insurance

Pulaski

That probably explains why a Starbucks coffee costs $4 and a cookie costs $2.50.

SpoogleDrummer

She may not have but she didn't get pregnant alone, her husband will have paid in throughout his life and I'm assuming they will both be paying in for many more. Plus in Texas they're making it harder to get an abortion so they'll no doubt have to get used to paying for pregnancies.

scrubbedexpat099

Medicaid, and in this case Emergency Medicaid is I think a Federal programme so not a TX issue.

civilservant

I'm not sure what people are referring too as 'Emergency Medicaid' - but usually that literally covers ER visits only.

excpomea

Have never heard that expression before.

Pulaski

Do you have any evidence that is actually happening?

There has been a lot of noise in recent years about what should happen and "what the rules say", but I don't think I have seen much evidence of access to healthcare in the UK being policed effectively, and anecdotally on BE, generally people seem to report that there is little or no actual checking being performed at the point of access.

mikelincs

Yes, there have been people posting pictures of letters asking them for proof of their UK residence and why they are claiming NHS treatment, this is recent, and one was someone who has been in the UK for 25 years. I suspect it will only get worse.

tom169

Worse... Implying validating residency is a bad thing. I sure would support it if I was a UK resident.

Pulaski

By "worse", I think you meant "better", or should have done.

As you are a consumer of NHS services, I am mystified as to why you would object to the NHS trying to stop other people stealing NHS services (receiving "free" services) which they are not entitled to? This theft reduces resources available for legitimate consumers, including to you, and which ultimately could undermine the entire viability of the NHS.

scrubbedexpat099

https://americanpregnancy.org/first-...regnant-women/

Just the top link for Emergency Medicaid, I have seen it most often for those who have children in the US when visiting and then have difficulties renewing their visa and get upset.

Seem to recollect it was quite common in CA and there were a few Court cases for those arranging such treatment.

millkeabe

I did qualify thank you! I’m all insured now. Such a relief!!

Thank you everyone for all your advice and information.