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<p>DExEU Ministers and officials have regular discussions with their counterparts
in the Department for Health and Social Care to discuss a wide range of issues related
to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.</p><p>Subject to the Withdrawal Agreement being
agreed by Parliament, where the UK or an EU Member State is responsible for the healthcare
of those within the scope of the Agreement, these individuals will continue to be
entitled to reciprocal healthcare cover, including EHIC rights, from that country.
For individuals not in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement, and as part of our future
relationship with the EU, we have said that we want continued participation in the
EHIC scheme.</p><p>In the event of a no deal exit, reciprocal healthcare cannot be
protected unilaterally and requires reciprocity from the EU or individual Member States.
We have a duty to ensure that any potential harmful impacts on our citizens in the
EU, and on EU citizens residing in the UK, are minimised as far as possible.</p><p>That
is why, in the event of no deal, the UK is seeking an EU-wide approach or bilateral
arrangements with Member States to transitionally apply the current social security
coordination regulations, including reciprocal healthcare, in full until the end of
2020. This includes current EHIC arrangements. This will provide certainty to individuals
who move to, visit or work in the UK or EU until that date. UK Government Ministers
highlighted the importance of transitionally maintaining these arrangements in letters
sent to Ministerial counterparts in each Member State.</p><p> </p>
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