[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Are you saying that the Spanish are looking at the medical care of non citizens as a "problem"?

Yep.

There's a few countries in South/Central America that promote "medical tourism" as well as here in U.S. for those individuals who are fortunate enough to pay out of pocket for their treatment. It is NOT FREE. Canada sends their citizens to hospitals in the U.S. for certain surgeries, but the Canadian government PAYS the U.S. hospital directly. I'd like to see something that states that these Spanish hospitals receive absolutely nothing from the Scandinavian Government or the individuals that they treat.

NPR: Spain Bears Brunt Of "Health Tourism"

Excerpt:

Like many Swedish snowbirds who flock to Marbella every winter, Hinman and his wife have paid into the Swedish health-care system all their lives. And in theory, Spain should be able to claim the cost of their care from an EU health fund. But the bureaucracy often doesn't work. Health authorities in the Valencia region - another popular destination for Europeans - say they spent $66 million to treat foreigners last year, but only got $10 million in compensation.