Spain Saves on Health Costs

THE SPANISH Minister of Health Trinidad Jiménez was successful in overturning new proposals about health costs that would have cost Spain an estimated 2 billion euros per year. The proposals were about who should pay the cost of health care for European nationals resident in another country but seeking to return to their home country for healthcare. Under the proposed legislation that was backed by the United Kingdom and Sweden it would have been up to the country of residence to foot the bill. Read the full report here from the CoastRider

Government calls for Brits to integrate:  The Valencian government wants Brits to integrate more in the Spanish community.  Councillor for Solidarity and Citizenship, Rafael Blasco, held a meeting recently with the British Ambassodor to Spain, Giles Paxman, where they discussed increasing the interaction between Britons and Spanish people in the region.   Blasco expressed a desire for Brits to get more involved in local elections.   There are approximately 144,000 British people registered in the Valencian region, which represents 16 percent of all foreigners.  Blasco believes foreigners could have a substantial influence in local politics.    Reported in RTN.