Free for everyone in an emergency

As Spain celebrated Constitution Day yesterday, opposition leader Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba was asking for an amendment to the Spanish Constitution regarding healthcare. At present the Constitution mentions medical attention as being a right for all residents in an "advisory" manner only... more or less meaning that everyone is entitled to emergency care. However, Rubalcaba want this changed to ensure FREE healthcare is a basic right for all residents in Spain, irrespective whether they pay social security payments or have a valid visa if they are non EU citizens.

Now in an ideal world, if money and funding was not an issue, great I would say.... but is this man living on another planet! Where on earth does he think the money would come from to pay for it all? The economy in Spain is struggling enough as it is.... 25% of the population is officially unemployed and that rises to a colossal 50% for the under 25´s.  Pharmacists in the region have not been paid for prescriptions dispensed and have only just called off the strike after a written promise of money.  Since 1st July ALL pensioners in Spain now have to pay 10% of the prescription cost - although there is a cap on the maximum dependent on income. New labour reform laws bought in make it easier to dismiss workers... but many here in Spain work for black money - cash in hand, meaning no rights and no contributions to the system. This is particularly true of foreigners working in Benidorm, where work is casual and seasonal.

Local health centre in Albir

Healthcare rules changed in Spain from 1st September and thousands in the province lost their right to free healthcare if they were not registered as tax residents, including pensioners. But it mainly affected those ex-pats who came to live here and were under the state pension age and with no employment. They then had a choice - either pay a monthly contribution to the Social Security system or take out private healthcare. They were trying to eradicate many "health tourists" that are a drain on the health service. Even Brits who presented themselves at the doctor or hospital in an emergency with no valid EHIC card were charged for treatment - aprox 70 euros for a doctors appointment and somewhere in the region of 1200 euros per DAY for Intensive Care at the hospital. With no valid EHIC card the Spanish Government cannot claim the money back from the British for the reciprocal healthcare and so makes the charge. It is then an arduous task of trying to claim the money back, so make sure that your blue EHIC card is up to date before traveling - they are FREE to obtain.

Only this week the "Hospital Marina Baixa" in Villa Joyosa - the local Social Security hospital covering the Benidorm region announced that it has had to cancel operations due to lack of beds. An entire ward has been closed and operations have had to be cancelled because there is no room to admit patients! Maria Luisa Corcostegui, President of the Personnel Board at the hospital said that operations are being delayed or postponed causing frustration and bewilderment to patients and their families. Post operative patients are having to be kept in the recovery rooms for hours whilst beds are found, meaning family members are not able to be at their side as it is a restricted area. She said that hunting for a bed is almost like an Olympic sport at the hospital and on a par with trying to locate a wheelchair!

Patients being scattered all over the hospital creating situations of confusion and chaos for the doctors and medical records are traveling back and forth trying to find the correct patient.  Many are also in mixed rooms, with a minimum of privacy which is totally unacceptable said workers.

And this situation is predominantly down to funding.... or rather lack of. So "Mr Rubalcaba´s" honorable suggestion of free healthcare to absolutely every Tom, Dick and Mohamed that enters the Spanish border is totally unfeasible as they cannot cope with those that are legally here and contributing to its running!