From Alan Anderson.
I AM concerned at the manner in which health insurance is being handled for UK visitors to Jersey.

Senator Perchard uses the word ‘reciprocate’ against the British government’s abrogation of the complementary health agreement as justifying the Island’s action. I should prefer the uglier but more accurate term ‘retaliate’.

According to the Senator’s account one has to accept the finality of the UK’s action. I should like to believe that Jersey can speak from a moral high ground apart from pragmatism. The Island depends on visitors of all age groups.

I am aware of aged relatives of residents deciding to forego their family visits because of the impossibility of obtaining insurance cover or only at an unaffordable price. It will not be long before we witness the undignified spectacle of Health and Social Services obtaining a charging order on the home of a sick and elderly UK resident or instituting bankruptcy proceedings.

Many a kidney patient has regularly holidayed here knowing that dialysis treatment is available. That is another visitor who will cease to come when that treatment is properly costed. If Treasury and Resources declines to fund the extra money, then, although the current heavy cost of airport and harbour fees is already anathema, I would make an exception by starting with a levy of 50p on every ticket sold irrespective of the residential status of the traveller.

Of course the free health care for visitors would carry a caveat against health tourism.
Côtes de Rozel,
Mont de Rozel,
St Martin.