@evoman3957 wrote:

I know retired people ( including expats ) have paid into the system all their working lives ( at least I hope they have ) and as I said, should therefore be entitled to free treatment. However, I guess with them; it's this feeling that, at a time of their lives when they are practically guaranteed to have medical problems ( over one thing or another ) they chose to leave the Country, whose medical services they need so badly, to go and live elsewhere.

 

This may actually reduce the liklihood that they will require medical treatment if they are living in warmer climes. I just don't get this "How dare they" approach to them wishing to live elsewhere in retirement. The NHS serves the people not the country; they serve the people who paid for it not the country in which they live!

 

 

I agree they have earned the right to choose where they live and how they spend their Money, but as with everything in life.......with choices comes consequences........cause and effect....and all that.

 

Yes but there's no reason why the consequences should be anything more than the inconvenience of having to travel back here to access the service. Currently there are no prohibiting consequences and so why do you wish to introduce some?

 

 

Going back to the Car Insurance example, you pay to insure your Car to drive it in THIS Country; OK, most companies allow you a certain amount of cover abroad during that year. However, if you live broad and have an accident; you can't expect to bring your Car back here and have it fixed and paid for by an Insurance Company in THIS Country.

 

You can if you still have an existing policy which covers you to do so. Anyway this is comparing chalk with cheese; comparing annual motor insurance with life-long medical insurance. If they were living abroad but had valid medical cover from a private policy they had paid for to have treatment here, would you begrudge them of that?

 

 

Also, doesn't it seem just a little unfair; that expats spend all their money into the coffers of another Country ( including contributing to all it's amenities ) but come back here, when that Country falls short on the one thing that's most important t their age..........Health Care.

 

No it does not seem at all unfair to me but then I'm a very reasonable person! They have already paid into the coffers here during their working lives.