Overview of the Act
The Act provides the Secretary of State with a legal framework for implementing comprehensive healthcare arrangements with a European Economic Area (EEA) state, Switzerland or an international organisation (i.e. the European Union (EU)). It provides powers to fund healthcare provided within those countries and powers to give effect to healthcare arrangements and healthcare agreements between the United Kingdom (UK) and an EEA state or Switzerland or an international organisation. It also provides the Secretary of State with powers to lawfully process data which is necessary to underpin these arrangements and agreements.
	The Act was introduced as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. It provides the Secretary of State with the legislative means to respond to a wide range of possible outcomes of the UK’s exit from the EU in relation to reciprocal healthcare, including the implementation of new complex reciprocal healthcare agreements with an EEA state or Switzerland. It sits alongside the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and other legislation as part of the Government’s legislative response to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.