CAMPAIGNERS celebrated in March after it was announced that the Isle of Man would not lose its reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
After an 11th hour change of heart the UK agreed to a six-month reprieve as the Isle of Man agreed to a new two to three million pound deal.
If the deal had not been agreed residents would only be entitled to emergency treatment in the UK and would be forced to pay for any further treatment including repatriation costs from April 2010.
Chief Minister Tony Brown said: "I believe this interim position represents a major step towards arriving at sustainable arrangements subject to the views of both governments.
"Hopefully in September the new UK Government will be willing to negotiate a long-term agreement which is what the people of the Isle of Man want."
He added: "There was continued pressure by the Manx Government, Tynwald, the Manx people, and UK citizens on the UK Government.
"I'm very pleased and grateful to Andy Burnham MP for considering this move. I'm pleased that the people of the Isle of Man and visitors will continue to have reciprocity of health care."
Update: The Isle of Man got a new long term reciprocal health agreement in October. Click here for more information.
