Brits Protest at Changes To EHIC Procedures

The organisers of a demonstration, taking place in Alicante tomorrow, claim that recent changes to EHIC Procedures means that ex-pats are now being denied access to free health care in the Valencia region

British residents are due to gather outside the British Consulate in Alicante to submit a demand for free health care, ex-pats from other EU nations are also expected to join the protest as the group will then move on to the offices of the Diputacion in demand that their original offer of free health care is kept.

The organisers of the protest claim that the Valencian Regional Government issued a law in 2003 promising free access to the health service, but now, in the middle of the recession the group notes another law which says that to continue to get public health care, they have to register with a private insurer at a cost of about 100 € per person per month, which is to include children.

They go on to say they are tired of being mistreated - ‘They trick us with the houses we buy, many of them illegal, and there are still many with no water or electricity. They trick us in many ways, but the straw which has broken the camel’s back is denying access to the health service, and that is why we are demonstrating. ‘The regional government does not keep its word’.

The organiser, who wishes to remain anonymous told the Spanish press that the rumour is already circulating in Britain not to buy homes or come on holiday in the Valencia region.