Jim Murphy

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Friday 01 February, 2008

Just a quick posting on healthcare for expats in France (for what I hope might be the last time on this issue!) I appreciate that many of the comments posted have recognised that it is sometimes more effective for the UK Government to try to discreetly persuade other Governments. Of course others have a different view - it’s a matter of judgement. I know that there is still some clarification needed about cover for a small number of people, and we are encouraging the French authorities to make sure the new rules are understood and implemented throughout France. But I would like to thank everyone at the British Embassy in Paris for all their persistence and hard work, and to FHI as well. Also my personal thanks to French Europe Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet. With best wishes to all UK citizens in France.

Posted at 08:54 01 February 2008 by Jim Murphy | Comments[47]

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Having spoken to our area CPAM head office, I was told that as far they were concerned, nothing has changed. They have not received any new directives from Paris and thus, all letters sent out by them cancelling health care are still applicable.brI appreciate that this communique might take time to impliment, but please, could you monitor the situation and offer encouragement to the appropriate departments.brThis is France, anything could still happen.

Posted by Clementine on February 02, 2008 at 09:39 PM GMT #

Dear Mr MurphybrbrI don't want to sound like a kill joy, but I'm not sure we're home and dry yet. Despite the changes issued by the French government on the 14 December which allowed those within the system as at 23 November to remain, the staff in the CPAM offices still do not recognise our rights. Nor do they recognise the 5 year residency rule. They've had the new rules for over six weeks now and we have roughly the same amount of time left before the majority of us lose our Carte Vitale at the end of March. brbrDon't stop pushing yet. Unless something is done to speed up this process we will still find ourselves without health cover in six weeks time. brbrPlease do all that you can to keep the french moving forward.

Posted by Liz on February 03, 2008 at 10:01 AM GMT #

I completely agree with the two above comments. Our CPAM office is still taking the view that nothing has changed. We have been completely affiated since January 2006, with private complimentary etc and at the moment our Carte Vitales run out at the end of March 2007.How long are they going to make us wait to reverse the early directive.

Posted by Christine on February 04, 2008 at 12:40 PM GMT #

Dear JimbrThe French have decided that the changes to health care could not be introduced retrospectively, and that is wonderful, but the staff at Perigueux CPAM refuse to accept our application to join the CMU. We went yesterday to appeal being ejected on Jan 6th and tried to show them the letter from the Health Minister, but the lady behind the desk refused to take our papers or names and told us there was no manager in the office to deal with us. We asked what we were supposed to do as we had no health cover, but she could not grasp the idea that it was not possible for us to wait until 31st March. Eventually the penny dropped, but she said we would just have to wait until they were given instructions.brPlease can you do something to get them to process applications for those of us on expired E106s because we have no health care cover at all since PHI could only be taken out for 12 months, we decided to wait until a decision had been reached.brRather than just expecting us to sit here waiting, could you not ask the French minister for a time frame for our application into the CMU?brTanks once againbrBest WishesbrNeville and Barbara

Posted by Neville on February 05, 2008 at 08:59 AM GMT #

Dear Mr.Murphy- first of all thank you for doing battle thus far for us expired e106 holders- ours expired 5/1/2008.We are desparate for some immediate action by CPAM offices- both having longstanding medical problems, thus not eligible for PHI.brbrIs it going to take a few ex-pat fatalaties to get some action.!!!!!!!!brbrPlease act on this matter immediately.brbrThankyou.

Posted by mike wynne on February 05, 2008 at 10:22 AM GMT #

Thank you for continuing to cover this subject. I'm afraid it may be a forlorn hope on your part that this will go away! So far, there has been no official statement or ruling from the health ministry to the bureaucrats whose job it is to implement the revised regulations. The result is that there are now thousands of people who have been without health cover here for a month, and the situation shows no sign of being resolved. We have heard nothing from either the Embassy staff or the health ministry on this subject for days now. It is time to wake everybody up again...brwww.frenchhealthissues.eu

Posted by Deborah Dudley on February 05, 2008 at 11:30 AM GMT #

Yes thanks to every one, but it is not just a small number of people needing clarification, as I understand it no one has as yet received confirmation that they can continue within the CMU or those with expired E106s have been allowed to join. It must be a very desperate situation for many, and I am very worried as to what I do at the end of March. This cannot just be ignored. It would be very helpful to know when this will be clarified. I really feel for those with health problems and currently without cover - and I am very scared as to what is going to happen to me if I have a medical emergency after the end of March.

Posted by Sara Peat on February 05, 2008 at 03:06 PM GMT #

Thanks for all the work you have undertaken on behalf of UK citizens regarding the health care issue. brWe have been affiliated with CPAM since Oct 2005 and received a letter informing us that we would have to make alternative health care arrangements after 31 March 2008. We appealed on the basis that we are not inactive, having signed a book contract with a french publisher. brOn January 23rd 2008 we received a notice of 'radiation' stating as of 31 December 2007 we were expelled from CPAM. A situation we didn't even know about until nearly 1 month later.brWe had continued to pay our 'top-up' waste of money and haven't found alternative care. brWe have appealed this decision in writing as well.....and enclosed copies of relevent letters...but it seems the instructions the bureaucrats are receiving are different to the assurances you are receiving...no, it is not over yet.

Posted by Maggie Cole on February 05, 2008 at 04:21 PM GMT #

Like most of the others whose comments were posted on February 1st, I have not yet received confirmation from the local CPAM office that my Carte vitale will be renewed after march 31st.brInstead I received this letter from the office mailed on 25 January, br'MadamebrJ'ai bien recu votre contestationbrJe la transmet ce jour 2 months after I sent my protest in! a notre service Contentieux capitalised in the original qui se chagera de l'instruire et vous tiendra informee des suites qui lui seront donnees.brpour le Directeur etc, brbrNot very reassuring. Please keep up with the pressure. We still need all the help we can get.brSincerely, Elizabeth Lomax

Posted by Elizabeth Lomax on February 05, 2008 at 09:00 PM GMT #

We certainly appreciate all the effort that has gone in to the change of the rules for those who were covered by an E106 in Nov 07.brHowever, we received a letter at the end of Jan to say that we needed to update our Carte Vitales as our E106 had expired. We went in to CPAM armed with the letter from the Minster of Health, but were told that it says she will "ask the director of Social Security to send a circular", and such a circular has not yet been received. We are still waiting for them to confirm the arrival of the new instructions.brbrWe are in a pickle, as my husband is due to have a cataract operation next week, and CPAM are still waiting for the new directive to appear on their desks. We probably can't get Private Health Insurance for an existing condition, and in any case the Insurance companies are now saying that they won't be able to cover us if we are entitled to remain in the CMU.brbrWe feel like we are caught in limbo.

Posted by Busybee on February 07, 2008 at 11:11 AM GMT #

What good are there "agreements" if they are not implemented. Fine for the UK gov to claim "we have sorted it" but then nothing happens and everybody not affected just sits around congratulating themselves. Lack of action by the British government has shown the French how easily they can walk all over the UK - and they continue to do so. This supposed agreement is just not happening. As my E106 expired in Jan 2008 I last week received my letter throwing me out of any French state healthcare and telling me I am not eligible to join the CMU. But the FCO say I am - so what is so complex that UK/France and others affected cannot sit down and sort it. Countries go to war quicker and with less hassle these days !! the shouldn't but they do.brbrThis is easy stuff guys. It is what you are paid to do - just show us you are capable of doing what you are paid for.

Posted by Ian on February 07, 2008 at 03:57 PM GMT #

Dear Mr MurphybrbrFirst of all I would like to thank you for all you hard work.brMy situation like many others here in France is one of waiting patiently whilst the French Health system implements to the statement issued on 21st January 2008 by the French Health Minister.brAlthough this situation is not ideal my understanding was that it would remain static until the 21st January statement was implemented. I was therefore very perturbed to receive a letter from my local CPAM office stating that as I had made my last CMU payment my account was no longer needed and was being closed. brIt would appear therefore that the French Health System far from being in a quiescent state is still steaming full ahead in a direction contrary to that indicated by their own minister! br

Posted by Clive on February 07, 2008 at 06:07 PM GMT #

Your efforts are appreciated but I think we need to take account of the ineptitude and indeed arrogance of the average French civil servant. I live ine the Lot-et-Garonne and have tried repeatedly to pressurize my local CPAM to acknowledge the existence of circulaire DSS/DACI/418/2007 written on the 23rd November and publish on the 14th December. Todate, the 7th February, just 7 or so weeks before the expiry of our rights to health cover the local CPAM at Agen has not received ant instruction whatsoever concerning the concessions made in respect of those with either a chronic illness, those members with an E106 or those like me who are 'inactifs' but have been members of the French health system for nearly 2 and half years. Either the incompetence and ineptitude of the French administration surpasses all understanding or the 'fonctionnaires' have a total and flagrent disregard for those of us living legally in France. In the word 'fonctionnaire' there in the word 'fonction' which relates to the verb 'fonctionner' which quite clearly the French administration does not. brI have written to the Prefet in Lot-et-garonne and the Directeur of CPAM in Agen. I have previously written to M. Sarkozy and Mme Bachelot complaining about the absurd intitial retrospective application of the changes to health care legislation. I fully intend to write again pointing out the woeful 'disfonctionnement' of the system. I encourage anyone else in the same situation do do likewise as todate only Beziers and Limoges CPAMs have reacted to the circulaire mentioned above.

Posted by Michael Stevens on February 07, 2008 at 08:15 PM GMT #

I went to our local CPAM office yesterday and they will not allow us access to the CMU, they have no technical ability to do this. They are expecting that this situation will continue until March 31st. They also make it very clear that if you are admitted to hospital or need treatment YOU will foot the bill and the french government has the power to sell your house to recover costs! It is frightening, are we not all in Europe and are not the British net contributers to Europe! What would the British Government do if someone finds themself in an intensive care bedwith cost running at 1000euros+/day!I hope this doesn't happen. But what would happen, would the British government step in, remember those of us with expired E106s are in limbo here and it is very frightening. brI am writing this for those expats who CANNOT get private cover due to existing conditions, I can. Please look again TODAY because someone needs you too. Mr Murphy I hope you read these blogs because many people writing them have paid money into the UK system all their lives and still doI do.

Posted by chopoffski on February 08, 2008 at 09:22 AM GMT #

Dear JimbrAlthough I am NOT included in this fiasco yet! Many people are still being issued with letters withdrawing their carte vitales. Thier Cpam offices are saying nothing has changed, and that 100 health cover is now required.brIf these changes are NOT implimented soon, then many people will still be FORCED into taking private cover, and tied into that for at least a year, or forced to move back to the UK because of their financial situation.brThis is ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING, have we not been through enough hoops for the French government yet?brbrWill you please pressure your French counterparts to impliment these changes NOW!! rather than in 3/4 months time, which for many will be too late :-brbrSincerelybrKevin Hawkins

Posted by Kevin Hawkins on February 08, 2008 at 12:11 PM GMT #

It's in France's interest NOT to implement this directive.brThere appears to be no sense of urgency about informing the CPAM offices, despite the fact that people are now without health cover of ANY kind, and thus living illegally in France and sick people are in a position where operations are having to be cancelled.brThis really is outragous. France has a history of manipulating circumstances to their own advantage and I fear that this could well be the case here. Game, set and match to Mr Sarkozy.brThis information needs to be passed on to the CPAM offices NOW or reasons given for why it isn't.brbrbr

Posted by Clementine on February 08, 2008 at 01:15 PM GMT #

Dear JimbrThings are not looking so good!! brYou saidbr"it is sometimes more effective for the UK Government to try to discreetly persuade other Governments. Of course others have a different view - it’s a matter of judgement." .........how long does it take to "discreetly persuade" the French. We still have no health cover and no idea when we are likely to be allowed to join CMU.br You also saidbr"I know that there is still some clarification needed about cover for a small number of people,"...........I think it is for all of us here whether or not we are on expired e106s .Our friends who have lived here for 5 years have received their expulsion letters now!br"Also my personal thanks to French Europe Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet.".......what has been achieved to make you say this?? Can you contact him again and point out what is going on at the CPAM offices?brJust in case you havn't realised.......we have not been allowed to affiliate to the CMU and it is now the 8th February.brPlease if you believe "it to be sometimes more effective for the UK government to try to discreetly persuade other governments", can you do it and tell us how many more days we have to wait until we can pay 8 of our global income to the French and benefit from our 70 reimbursement from the CMU....anyone would think we are asking for something for nothing.brThanks once again for your support Jim.brBest WishesbrNeville and Barbarabr

Posted by Neville on February 08, 2008 at 05:50 PM GMT #

NevillebrbrLike yourselves, my CPAM is Perigueux. Like your friends, I've been here for more than five years and like them I am being asked to surrender my Carte Vitale, with no prospect of securing private health cover. brbrUnhappily, I have been one of the more sceptical bloggers on this site. Unhappily, my scepticism seems to have been well founded. brbrDerek

Posted by Derek Wood on February 11, 2008 at 10:53 AM GMT #

Update on our situation:brWe went into CPAM in Cahors, Lot today, to give them our application for CMU base as advised by CLEISS. We were told that there is no such thing as CMU base anymore. Not for anyone. Obviously the staff there are aware that there is information at large to the contrary, but they still are waiting for a new directive to tell them so.brbrThey did accept our form, but were unable to give us any warm and fuzzy feeling about when we might expect an end to our current situation, in which we are competely without medical cover.brbrMy husband has been obliged to cancel the operation which was planned for this week, as we could get no guarantee that the costs would be reimbursed.brbrThe only suggestions that CPAM staff could offer was to register ourselves as some kind of business or entreprise individuelle; which my husband is reluctant to commit to until after the successful conclusion of surgery. In any case, why should we do that when apparently we are entitled to join the CMU?brbrWe live in hope that the directive will arrive and that this will be resolved in the not too distant future. It would have been helpful if the UK could have found a way to extend coverage through the E106 whilst this matter remains unresolved. As it is, we remain in limbo and presumably, illegally resident.

Posted by Busybee on February 11, 2008 at 06:04 PM GMT #

Hello again, Mr. Murphy. We haven't gone away yet. brDespite the embassy's announcement of three weeks ago, those of us with expired E106s are still no closer to getting any health care. Whatever happened to the government's commitment in the white paper of March 2006 "The UK's International Priorities" where one of them was declared to be "Delivering high-quality support for British nationals abroad, in normal times and in crises". Well, we haven't seen much of this yet and this has become a CRISIS for those of us here. Do you think it's fun to be terrified of having an accident or falling ill? Or perhaps Mr. Busybee enjoys having to cancel his operation? Or it's a relief that I can't have my cancer check any more and my prescription runs out next week?brHow much longer do we have to wait? We've pushed the CPAMs and the CNAM for a response but we're being ignored as usual. It's bad enough that they're doing it but why do you have to do it to us as well? At least have the decency to honour your commitment, and at the same time keep us informed of what you're doing. brI'm sure it wouldn't take you long.

Posted by Pam Djordjevic on February 12, 2008 at 09:47 PM GMT #

We are E106 January expirees. We have today received a letter from CPAM AGEN dated 8 February rejecting our application to join CMU. Text of the letter below verbatim within the quotes:brbr"Je vous informe qu'après examen de votre demande, il apparaît que vous ne pouvez être affilié auprès de la Caisse Primaire.brbrVotre situation personnelle n'entre pas dans le cadre prévu pour bénéficier de la couverture maladie universelle CMU.brbrVous devez en conséquence vous adressez à l'organisme privé de votre choix en France ou à l'étranger pour bénéficier d'une protection d'assurance maladie.brbrLes textes prévoient en effet que pour bénéficier du droit à résidence sur le territoire français suffisantes à votre arrivée en France.brbrSERVICE P.R.A.S.S.brbrArticle 23 de la loi No. 2006-911 du 24 juillet 2006 du code l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile: Dans son art. L121-1 paragraphe 2 "brbr

Posted by John &amp; Eiry Goldsmith on February 13, 2008 at 12:13 PM GMT #

JimbrbrJohn & Eiry Goldsmith's experience, like that of many others must surely convince you that this matter is not at all resolved. The situation of E106ers is now absolutely desperate. It's only a matter of weeks now before all the rest of us loose our access to CMU and join our fellow expat 'illegal imimgrants'.brbrDon't you think it is time that you had another cosy little chat with French Europe Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet? Perhaps you might be consider being a bit more forthright this time?brbrDeek Wood

Posted by Derek Wood on February 13, 2008 at 01:27 PM GMT #

This is unbelievable - it has dragged on for over four months, what will happen to those who now have no health cover if they become seriously ill? what happens to the rest of us who have no cover after the end of next month? who will be responsible? What is happening? I have not had an answer from the British Embassy in Paris to an e-mail requesting information as to when the local CPAM offices will receive the new directive - does any one have any information?

Posted by Sara Peat on February 13, 2008 at 01:49 PM GMT #

We have been in France for over five years and like many others have been advised that our cover finishes on the 31.3.2008. While I feel for the staff at the CMU who have to wait for the new instructions I feel that the management is being inactive at best. Perhaps we are all being too pasive. If the Foreign Office took a firmer stand and told the French Ministry to sort this mess out. Perhaps we should all go to the CMU offices every day until they just get fed up with us and put presure on the ministry to get a move on.Perhaps send an email every day to our CMU's with the same message. We may be Estrangers but within Europe we should be treated with some consideration.

Posted by Peter Barber on February 13, 2008 at 07:53 PM GMT #

Dear JimbrI phoned the CPAM English language service this morning on 08 20 90 42 12. Their advice for my wife and I was to get private health insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!brI think the suggestion from Peter Barber is right. We have made several visits to our CPAM and if more people did this we would all be further on now. There are just too many Brits out there waiting for others to do something for them.brI would like to think that you will be able to contact the French minister today to find out why we are being told to get PHI Jim.brBest WishesbrNeville

Posted by Neville on February 14, 2008 at 09:34 AM GMT #

HURRAHHH - finally today, CPAM have received the directive. We have been informed that we can visit our local CPAM office - in about a week - as they need time to study the directive, and we should be able to get a new CARTE VITALE. brWe have, like everyone else made so many phone calls on this matter, hopefully now, its over.brif you want clarification for yourself then telephone 0820 904 212.

Posted by Roy Maize on February 15, 2008 at 09:00 AM GMT #

Dear JimbrIf you did phone the French minister, thanks as it worked!!!brIt still bothers me that you don't bother to answer specific questions, however, just in case you do read any of this, you will be pleased to know that we were contacted by Perigueux CPAM today to tell us that they were now processing our application to join CMU base and they were giving us Jan, Feb and March free........no compensation for the severe stress incurred however!!brSo they said we will receive a letter to confirm this next week.br My special thanks to Georgina and Sara at the British Embassy in Paris.brp.s the prime minister's office replied to my letter and said they would pass it to the fco to reply....needless to say they havn't bothered to do that....i'm not impressed Jim and hope I will be receiving a letter from you soon, as I have put in 4 months work on this issue and you havn't replied to one of my letters or emails. brBest WishesbrNeville and Barbara

Posted by Neville on February 15, 2008 at 02:52 PM GMT #

PRIORITY !!! TO ALL YOU WORRIED EX-PATS. I HAVE BEEN TO MY CPAM OFFICE TODAY 15TH AND BEEN TOLD I WILL REMAIN IN CMU AFTER MARCH. THEY RECEIVED THE INSTRUCTIONS TODAY. I WILL RECEIVE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION SOO, AND WILL JUST NEED TO GO TO A PHARMACIE TO TOP UP MY CARTE VITALE. I AM IN DEPT.36 INDRE CHATEAUROUX CPAM.brbrJohn Southworth Thank you FHI

Posted by john Southworth on February 15, 2008 at 03:20 PM GMT #

To say a very big 'thank you' to all who have lobbied, from Jim Murphy to the Embassy BUT the biggest thank you to French health Issues and Deborah Dudley.brbrI started lobbying alone very early on about this issue. I was invited to become part of the FHI team, but, having seen the sheer volume of work, and the number of e-mail messages that were to-ing and fro-ing, I eventually declined. I was terrified. This then says something for the dedication and sheer bloody-mindedness of a band of like minded individuals who have never sought to publicise themselves, or to be identified. Neither did they know each other except via e-mail. Nor have they reaped any commercial reward for their labours. I don't want to sound gushing, but they deserve the highest accolade for their past and continuing work. It is without doubt down to their consistency, fairness and even handed approach, without hysteria, that this matter is now becoming resolved. I do not know what, if anything the future holds for them as an organisation, but as far as I am personally concerned, they deserve to be a success if they continue on a commercial footing. Well done French Health Issues, you have proved that the bulldog spirit lives.brbrJohn Southworth

Posted by JohnSouthworth on February 15, 2008 at 05:16 PM GMT #

Went to CPAM Vannes on Friday 15th February. Our E106 expired on the 5th January. They have still not received any new instructions about expired E106 holders. We were told that they would write to us when the new instructions have been received.

Posted by Irene Kelly on February 16, 2008 at 10:44 AM GMT #

Let's hope this nightmare is finally over. Good luck to everyone and extra special thanks again to FHI crew.brbrDerek

Posted by Derek Wood on February 16, 2008 at 11:22 AM GMT #

Alas, information has still not reached the vast majority of CPAM offices.brbrThis is still a matter of urgency!

Posted by Clementine on February 19, 2008 at 09:28 AM GMT #

Thank you, John, we would blush if we could do this on line!brbrSadly, Mr Murphy, although we have heard of half a dozen CPAMs who are now toeing the line, at least 20 that we know of have refused entry this week, to those who should now be entitled. I will be sending a list of these to the Embassy today. This means that there are probably still around 3,000 E106 expirees without cover, and if this goes on much longer, there will be thousands more CMU subscribers in the same position in five weeks' time, a number of whom have lived here for more than 5 years - and even they are still being told they must buy private insurance after 31st March. This problems just is NOT going away.brAnd neither are we... www.frenchhealthissues.eu

Posted by Deborah Dudley on February 20, 2008 at 11:12 AM GMT #

I am still waiting for the Beauvais CPAM to respond to my appeal. I have lived in France since Jan 2003, have an ALD and been affiliated to CMU since 2005.brI realise the cogs take time to turn, and I hate to moan like a true Brit, but I didn't think the government offices would work like local artisans. Maybe it's time to consider going back to the UK.

Posted by Kay on February 20, 2008 at 12:16 PM GMT #

I am also still waiting for the CPAM in Tours to respond. My wife and I have been affiliated to CMU since 2005. brThe last letter we got from the CPAM Tours 13-03-08 stated that they still had no directive, while other CPAM's in other departments are issuing continuation to people afiliated to the CMU prior to 23 Nov 07.brStrange.....

Posted by Dennis on February 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM GMT #

We are also having major problems with the health cover. We have been affiliated since 2004 and they decided to suddenly take away the cover as at the end of March 2008 for my husband and I, plus our three children. They claim we are 'inactif' even though we have a UK based business. We work from home via the internet 5 days a week. I don't call that inactive?! Tax on our salary is paid here in France although as our income is low, we don't pay tax... but we have enough to live on and don't scrounge either! We have written letter after letter and have been passed from pillar to post but no-one will give us the cover we desperately need. We cannot afford private health cover and I really don't want to move back to the Uk. Our children are settled here, it wouldn't be fair on them. We are all part of the EU and therefore allowed to move freely from country to country. Surely as EU citizens we should have health cover? I'm not sure what we will do if we can't get cover, move somewhere else I guess, maybe Spain. Our business can be run from any country, just would rather stay here if possible. Has anyone any ideas of who I should talk to next? ie The British Embassy or something?

Posted by Sherri on February 20, 2008 at 01:41 PM GMT #

Sherri, as you run a business, then you should be paying cotisations into a work-based scheme. My first visit, in your shoes, would be to go the your local Chambre de Commerce, and to set up your business in France - because your situation is most unusual. Normally, you cannot have a UK based business and work here without paying all your social contributions in France - these will automatically give you and your family access to healthcare and the social security system - but not via the CMU which as a salaried person, you are certainly not entitled to be in. I would also suggest seeking the advice of a good French accountant.

Posted by Deborah Dudley on February 20, 2008 at 03:01 PM GMT #

JohnS - Re yr post of 15th Feb & plaudits for FHI - I applaud the content in every respect; and it is particularly pleasing to see that the British Embassy does likewise.brbrAs to approaches to the CPAM. We are "Carte Vitale-carryng" CMU members until 31st March. Our region is Lot-et-Garonne. We will be approaching them for a status check after the end of February - w/c Monday 3rd March.

Posted by NICK GREENWOOD on February 20, 2008 at 05:24 PM GMT #

Readers will be interested in my recent experience. I have benefited from and contributed to the CMU for more than five years. In the absence of a single response to five letters, between 18/12/07 and 10/02/08, contesting the decision denying me access to the CMU with effect from end March 08, I wrote a sixth letter dated 18/02/08. In this letter I highlighted their failure to respond to my letters and pointed out that it was causing anxiety and worry. I copied the letter to Mme Bachelot-Naquin, the Minister of Health, M. Dominique Libault, Director of the Social Security and M J-Y Hocquet Director CLEISS. I was astonished to receive a telephone call at 18:30 on Tuesday, 19 February from M Libault himself. He said that I should not worry and that I would soon receive confirmation that I could remain a beneficiary of CMU. He must have been in touch with his colleagues at CPAM PAU because today, 20/02/08 I received two further telephone calls from CPAM PAU advising that I would soon receive confirmation that I could remain within the French healthcare system.

Posted by Tim Wood on February 20, 2008 at 06:57 PM GMT #

Dear JimbrWe have today received a demand for cotisations and an attestation to confirm our admittance into CMU base.brAs you know we were on expired E106s, and had made 3 visits to CPAM Perigueux and submitted appeals to CLEISS and directly to the manager of CPAM Perigueux.brWe would like to thank you for any part you have played in bringing about this successful outcome.brI would recommend that those of you who are still being denied access go to your CPAM with your appeal letters.brThanks for all the support material and the hours you have put in ,FHI. brI will continue the fight for those who are still not accepted.brWe must not forget that the original piece of legislation that the French were acting on is still not acceptable and that all EU citizens should be entitled to reciprocal health care where ever they reside within the EU, irrespective of their "activity". Health care is a basic human right!brBest WishesbrNeville and Barbara

Posted by Neville on February 21, 2008 at 11:31 AM GMT #

At last, home and dry I think?!brbrWe live in Dept 49 Maine et Loire. Lived here for more than 5 years and contributed to CMU for the whole period.brbrWe received a letter today saying that a French ministerial decision has meant that our rights to CMU have been re-established and consequently they will be examining our dossier in the 2nd quarter of 2008. A bit contradictory but better than nothing. We are also invited to update our carte vitale at the local office asap.brbrLet's hope that all CPAM offices get up to speed soon so that everyone can finally put this problem behind them.

Posted by Liz on February 23, 2008 at 09:51 AM GMT #

Just a quick update on my situation. Just a couple of days after my last posting I received a a phone call from CPAM Beauvais, followed by a letter of confirmation that I can stay in CMU plus new attestation. Many thanks to all, especially everyone at FHI for their help, advice and support. I can start to sleep at night now!

Posted by Kau on February 25, 2008 at 12:19 PM GMT #

A final update from us to say that, yesterday, we received a letter from the CPAM at Albi in the Tarn to inform us that the decision to terminate our CPAM membership has been rescinded and that our membership has been fully re-instated under the same conditions that applied previously. Our close friends who have been resident in France for almost ten years have also received the same letter overturning their previous letter of expulsion.brbrSo ends a worrying few months for us and we can now get on with enjoying our life in this superb area of France.brbrWe cannot express our gratitude enough to all those that fought the fight to right this wrong. The huge efforts made on behalf of us all by FHI, whose extremely sound advice was instrumental in us getting the result we were seeking, Mary Honeyball, Jim Murphy, British Embassy staff not to mention the excellent coverage by The Connexion newspaper have to be recognised. Those efforts were driven on by the indignation of those affected who found themselves in a situation not of their making and it was not surprising that feelings ran high. brbrWe hope that all those people in the system prior to the 23rd November 2007 whether fully or through 'E' forms will now be treated equally fairly.brbrWith very best wishes and thanks to all of you.

Posted by Denis Turner on February 26, 2008 at 08:50 PM GMT #

Left hands and right hands come to mind. My E106 expired in January and despite 3 visits to Poitiers all I keep getting told is basically, hard luck! One day I telephoned, Newcastle, Poitiers and an English-speaking French government office - all 3 said something different! Don't despair, it is not just the health system in France that is in disarray, I have also had conflicting information from the Chamber of Commerce......... Perhaps if the UK could just change the rules on the E106 and extend them........?

Posted by carolyn boon on March 01, 2008 at 05:02 PM GMT #

In the heat of battle with the french Health Ministry, sight is seemingly being lost of a basic right conferred by E.U. Directive 2004/38/EU.brbrI write to ask what actions have been taken to urge implementation by the French Interior Ministry of the rights of Union citizens to the status of Permanent Resident after five years residency and issue of documentary confirmation, which are apparently receiving little attention? A trawl of web forums indicates that Prefectures complying with this are very few and far between: blank looks or outright refusals are the norm.brbrThis Directive has been invoked in part only by the french Health Ministry for the purpose of restricting access to sickness insurance. Valuable changes have been won by the Embassy in Paris and by FHI over the unjust effect of applying these articles retrospectively, but these are frequently described as “concessions” only. Wherever possible, CMU access should be given on the grounds of rights already conferred on the citizen by the Treaty, to prevent future withdrawal.brbrThe Directive also creates, at Article 16, the right to Permanent Residency after five years and thereby the automatic right of CMU access for qualifying individuals, which is not subject to requirements of sickness insurance or level of resources. For many, this will override all other arguments over entitlement to CMU, now and in the future.brbrThe latest Sécurité Sociale instructions correctly state that confirmation of the right to P.R. status is the responsibility of the Prefectures. Regrettably however, Prefectures are failing to recognise their obligations under Article 19 of the Directive to issue documentary confirmation of permanent residence: typically, on the grounds that “they have no instructions” or that “it is not required”.brbrThe right of Permanent Residence is newly created by this Directive, but it is now some six months since certain articles of it were invoked with respect to sickness insurance only, in a manner running totally counter to the spirit and intention of the Directive. Considerable pressure will be required on the Ministry of the Interior to ensure implementation and proper conformity with Article 19 by the Prefectures.brbrThis matter of permanent residency is essentially a separate one from healthcare, the Prefectures being under the control of the Ministry of the Interior. The CPAMs are not competent to interfere with confirmation of the right of Permanent Residency, which was my sub-prefectures proposed solution to my query.brbrI make no apology for repeating that the rights of permanent residency, the provision of confirmatory documentation and equal treatment under the law are conferred on the citizen by the Treaty, and not simply by the grace of individual Union member governments. brbrI feel entitled to ask therefore that the fullest weight of the FCO and the British Embassy in Paris is put behind a drive to enforce recognition of this basic right and very necessary safeguard.brbrI hope I may look forward to your reply at an early date.brbrYours sincerely,brDOUGLAS HENDERSONbrbr

Posted by Doug Henderson on March 02, 2008 at 04:37 PM GMT #

Ok, my last attempt at posting was refused as spam!. To summarise. EU is about equal rights for all member state citizens 1 . This law breaks human rights laws. I thought that access healthcare for all was part of EU policy? I can not afford private care. I am denied health care by the UK and French governments. Despite STILL paying 25 tax in the UK and over 5000 euros a years in various French taxes. What good reason can their be for this? 2. This is a form of state racism. I am able to be part of the UK health care system but I am actually blocked from joining and voluntarily paying into the French system because I am not French.This is racist? surely. Different rights for UK nationals to French nationals. Is this the new Europe?

Posted by paul on April 01, 2008 at 07:56 PM BST #

I've just come across your site and I find it interesting. The CPU well I've been refused and I've been in france 15 years and worked for 12 so have a card vital. Now at 67 my pension income is too high at €710 per month, dont forget to that the french add a virtual income because I own my old flat this pushes me above the CPU ceiling. The problem I have is the double pension calculation which after many months the uk finally produced. The french have never done the calculation which on their web site example gives a better pension to a french person? Also note that those who worked in australia before 2001 could get credits for their uk pensions but NOT those who retire in france. Move in europe and you will lose out. This problem is now 3 years old and with the commission now, for how long????

Jim Murphy

Minister for Europe

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