WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2906/97 by Elly PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL to the Commission. Extra charge levied on EU nationals' health- care bills in New York State
C 60/140 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 98 3. If not, does the Commission consider that Italy should be formally requested to ensure equal respect for the civil and human rights of all its citizens, including those who happen to desend from former monarchs? 4. Finally, does the Commission regard as compatible with the rights laid down for Union citizens a solution which would enable descendants of the House of Savoy to enter Italy again without, however, enjoying certain important civil rights (such as the right to vote or to stand for election), as proposed by some politicians? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1997) The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission. (98/C 60/231) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2906/97 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission (3 September 1997) Subject: Extra charge levied on EU nationalsí health-care bills in New York State 1. Is the Commission aware that New York State levies an extra charge of 32% on health-care costs incurred by visitors (tourists) from outside the US as a means of covering the health-care costs of poor (uninsured) Americans? Does the Commission consider that this amounts to unlawful discrimination against non-US nationals 2. compared with US nationals? 3. Does the Commission agree that this imposes unwarranted additional charges on EU nationals, possibly even causing them serious financial problems, if they fall sick in the US? At all events, European sickness and travel insurance policies do not cover these extra costs. EU citizens are now being forced either to take out extra insurance or to expose themselves to an unacceptable risk. Does this practice contravene agreements concluded between the US and the EU (e. g. in relation to the 4. WTO)? 5. What action will Commission take? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997) The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform her of the outcome as soon as possible