Ministers accused of 'giving up' on saving European Health Insurance Card after Brexit

Emergency legislation unveiled to 'replicate the benefits' - as no-deal preparations are stepped up

A scheme guaranteeing urgent medical treatment for Britons visiting the EU is at fresh risk after Brexit, with an announcement of emergency legislation.

Ministers had vowed to fight to save the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) even after the UK leaves the EU, after acknowledging it had major advantages.

But they have now announced a fast-track bill they say will “provide the powers that are needed” to replicate the benefits – as part of stepping up preparations for crashing out of the EU without a deal.

The announcement of the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill – legislation never previously proposed by the government – was slipped out on a Friday afternoon.

Virendra Sharma, a Labour supporter of the anti-Brexit Best for Britain group, said: “It seems like the government have just given up on the EHIC and that should worry everyone.”

And Guto Bebb, a Conservative MP who backs the People’s Vote campaign, said: “People did not vote for Brexit in order to make their lives more costly or complicated, but that’s the reality we’re heading towards.”

An EHIC gives Britons the right to state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU or European Economic Area (EEA) country.

It covers treatment that is “medically necessary” on the same basis as enjoyed by a resident of that country, so either free or at a much-reduced cost.

Pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care are also covered, provided someone has not travelled specifically to give birth or seek treatment.

The EHIC scheme pays for 250,000 medical treatments each year and UK travellers have saved around £1.2bn since it began in 2006, according to figures released last year.

Without the cards, it is feared that the cost of travel insurance will soar, as insurers find themselves liable for medical treatment that is currently free of charge.

Now the emergency legislation has been unveiled by the department of health, to be rushed through before next March in case the Brexit talks fail.

It will “establish the legal basis to fund and implement vital reciprocal healthcare schemes and share necessary data after we leave the EU”, the department said.

Officials stressed the bill would still allow the EHIC scheme to survive after Brexit “subject to an agreement with the EU”.

But they admitted it was being brought forward because plans for it to rollover until the end of 2020, as part of the planned transition period, were now at risk.

Mr Bebb added: “The European Health Insurance Card means Brits can travel to the EU without worrying about ending up out-of-pocket if they get ill or injured.

“With ministers apparently giving up on preserving it shows just how miserable this botched Brexit will be.”

But James O'Shaughnessy, a health minister, said: “Whether on holiday, working or retiring abroad, British people want to know they can access the same high quality healthcare that they enjoy in the NHS.

“This bill will allow us to implement new healthcare arrangements with other countries – in the EU and elsewhere – so that UK citizens can travel with confidence.”

The legislation would also safeguard reciprocal healthcare for 190,000 expat UK pensioners in the EU, or intending to retire to the EU, “if there is no deal”.