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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/08/john-key-health-charge-for-new-zealanders-and-australians-is-uk-being-pretty-cheap
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| Health charge for New Zealanders and Australians is UK being 'pretty cheap', says John Key | |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The New Zealand prime minister, John Key, has accused Britain of being “pretty cheap” after it revealed plans to make New Zealanders and Australians pay a surcharge to access some health services. | The New Zealand prime minister, John Key, has accused Britain of being “pretty cheap” after it revealed plans to make New Zealanders and Australians pay a surcharge to access some health services. |
| Australians and New Zealanders visiting the UK for six months or more – or who are already in the country and are applying for an extension – will now have to pay an annual fee of £200 (about $AU410 and $NZ437) for health and dental care. | Australians and New Zealanders visiting the UK for six months or more – or who are already in the country and are applying for an extension – will now have to pay an annual fee of £200 (about $AU410 and $NZ437) for health and dental care. |
| Those aged 18 to 30 will pay a discounted surcharge rate of £150. | Those aged 18 to 30 will pay a discounted surcharge rate of £150. |
| Key said the change was “chipping away of New Zealanders’ rights in the UK”. | Key said the change was “chipping away of New Zealanders’ rights in the UK”. |
| Related: The NHS saved my life: I spent months paralysed from head to toe | Related: The NHS saved my life: I spent months paralysed from head to toe |
| “I think we have had this relationship based on the history of our country and New Zealand being a British colony. I would have thought charging Kiwis £150 if they’re over there for a bit longer as a surcharge, over and above the national health system, is pretty cheap and not really in keeping with the history of the two countries.” | “I think we have had this relationship based on the history of our country and New Zealand being a British colony. I would have thought charging Kiwis £150 if they’re over there for a bit longer as a surcharge, over and above the national health system, is pretty cheap and not really in keeping with the history of the two countries.” |
| Visitors from Britain will continue to be entitled to free health care in Australia and New Zealand under reciprocal agreements. | Visitors from Britain will continue to be entitled to free health care in Australia and New Zealand under reciprocal agreements. |
| On Sunday, Fairfax New Zealand columnist Stacey Kirk wrote that New Zealand should bring in the same surcharge. | On Sunday, Fairfax New Zealand columnist Stacey Kirk wrote that New Zealand should bring in the same surcharge. |
| She said there were about 63,000 New Zealanders living in the UK – or about 0.09% of the population – compared with 265,500 UK citizens living in New Zealand, or 5.7% of population. | She said there were about 63,000 New Zealanders living in the UK – or about 0.09% of the population – compared with 265,500 UK citizens living in New Zealand, or 5.7% of population. |
| “It’s a pittance for the UK, but the same policy applied here could add up to $115.2m to our cash-strapped health budget,” she wrote. “Besides that, there has to a be a point where we stop rolling over.” | “It’s a pittance for the UK, but the same policy applied here could add up to $115.2m to our cash-strapped health budget,” she wrote. “Besides that, there has to a be a point where we stop rolling over.” |
| The New Zealand health minister, Jonathan Coleman, has been contacted to ask whether this is a possibility. | The New Zealand health minister, Jonathan Coleman, has been contacted to ask whether this is a possibility. |
| The Australian health minister, Sussan Ley, and Labor’s health spokeswoman, Catherine King, have also been contacted. | The Australian health minister, Sussan Ley, and Labor’s health spokeswoman, Catherine King, have also been contacted. |
| Under the new UK legislation – to be introduced on 6 April – Australians and New Zealanders will still be entitled to free doctor’s visits and any emergency or accident care that cannot wait until they get home. | Under the new UK legislation – to be introduced on 6 April – Australians and New Zealanders will still be entitled to free doctor’s visits and any emergency or accident care that cannot wait until they get home. |
| The immigration health surcharge was introduced in Britain in 2015 and applies to all non-European Union citizens. Until now Australia and New Zealand were exempt from the surcharge. | The immigration health surcharge was introduced in Britain in 2015 and applies to all non-European Union citizens. Until now Australia and New Zealand were exempt from the surcharge. |
| But Britain’s immigration minister, James Brokenshire, said in a statement it was “only fair” that Australians and New Zealanders contribute to the National Health Service (NHS). | But Britain’s immigration minister, James Brokenshire, said in a statement it was “only fair” that Australians and New Zealanders contribute to the National Health Service (NHS). |
| “By keeping the surcharge at a competitive level, we are also recognising the contribution temporary migrants make to the wider economy,” he said. | “By keeping the surcharge at a competitive level, we are also recognising the contribution temporary migrants make to the wider economy,” he said. |
| The surcharge raised more than £100m in its first six months for the NHS. | The surcharge raised more than £100m in its first six months for the NHS. |