Post on 16-Dec-2015
PICUM REPORT Access to Health Care
for Undocumented Migrants in Europe
by Eve Geddie
9th October 2008
UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTSHAVE RIGHTS!
Many people think that undocumented migrants have no rights since they are living without permission to legally reside in a country which is not their own
THIS IS A MYTH !PICUM promotes respect for
the basic social rights of undocumented migrants.
Access to Health Care for Undocumented Migrants in Europe
PARTNERS Local AuthoritiesNGOs
Health care providers
COUNTRIES
Austria
Belgium
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Legal entitlements to health care
1. All care provided only on payment basis Austria, Sweden
2. Free health care in very limited casesHungary, Germany
3. Wider coverage but legislation rather ambiguous and unclearUK, Portugal
4. “Parallel” administrative systemsFrance, Belgium, Netherlands
5. Wide public health care coverageSpain, Italy
5 DISTINCT SITUATIONS
Practical barriers in Italy
Inconsistent implementation of the law
Ambiguous terms (‘cure urgenti’)
Extralegal requirements
Undocumented migrants - unaware of their rights - fear detection
Payment of fee for ‘ticket’
Result: increased pressure on civil society to bridge gaps
International Human Rights Standard
‘The right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health’ - Article 12 I.C.E.S.C.R.
Key aspects AccessibilityNon-discrimination