Currently browsing tag

restore-free

Spain to restore free health care for illegal immigrants

Spain's conservative government said Tuesday it would restore free health care for illegal immigrants, overturning a controversial decision taken three years ago. Under a reform that came into place in September 2012, foreigners without residency papers lost their national health cards which allowed them free treatment in local public health clinics. Illegal immigrants who are over 18 only get free treatment in case of an emergency, pregnancy or birth. “It is more sensible and reasonable that this care be given in health centres so emergency wards are not saturated,” Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said as he announced that all undocumented immigrants would once again come within the fold of the public health system.