§ Lord Jenkin of Rodingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 3 June (WA 36) and 25 June (WA 44–45) what conclusions they have come to from their consideration of the cases of Decker and Kohll in the European Court of Justice, which concern the rights of citizens of one European Union state to have medical treatment in another European Union state paid for by the authorities of the former state. [HL169]
§ Baroness HaymanWe do not expect to make immediate changes to our systems to take specific account of the Decker and Kohll judgments. These concerned the legality of Luxembourg national rules concerning the reimbursement of medical expenses under its compulsory insurance-based public health system. The National Health Service is tax funded and residence based, generally free at the point of delivery with no provision to allow consumers who purchase health care goods or services from the private sector to have their costs reimbursed from the state. Discussions continue at official level between the member states and the Commission. The forthcoming German Presidency of the European Union is arranging for discussion of the general issues of principle at a conference to be held in Potsdam in January in preparation for possible discussion by Ministers at the Health Council meeting on 8 June 1999.