Veterans on the Isle of Man are calling on the UK government to reconsider its decision to end a health agreement.
The reciprocal agreement is due to end on 1 April. After this date, residents must take out insurance when visiting the UK in case they fall ill.
But ex-servicemen say many of them may not be able to get the health cover to visit a country they fought for.
They have written to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, asking him to consider reopening negotiations on the matter.
The ending of the agreement also means UK visitors will have to take out insurance when visiting the island.
'Very sad'
Jim Kewin, 67, who served in the RAF for 35 years, is one of the Isle of Man veterans affected.
He said: "I feel very sad. There are many of us who have served our queen and country and we thought we would still go on receiving medical care within Great Britain for the rest of our lives. But that's not the case.
"Other countries look after their retired people and ex-servicemen much better."
Fellow ex-serviceman, William Kneale, 77, added: "It's the sense of betrayal.
"Once you get over 80, its very hard to find insurers. I hope that the British people will take our cause to their hearts and public opinion will come our way."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/isle_of_man/8524495.stm
Veterans call for health rethink
Veterans on the Isle of Man are calling on the UK government to reconsider its decision to end a health agreement.
The reciprocal agreement is due to end on 1 April. After this date, residents must take out insurance when visiting the UK in case they fall ill.
But ex-servicemen say many of them may not be able to get the health cover to visit a country they fought for.
They have written to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, asking him to consider reopening negotiations on the matter.
The ending of the agreement also means UK visitors will have to take out insurance when visiting the island.
'Very sad'
Jim Kewin, 67, who served in the RAF for 35 years, is one of the Isle of Man veterans affected.
He said: "I feel very sad. There are many of us who have served our queen and country and we thought we would still go on receiving medical care within Great Britain for the rest of our lives. But that's not the case.
"Other countries look after their retired people and ex-servicemen much better."
Fellow ex-serviceman, William Kneale, 77, added: "It's the sense of betrayal.
"Once you get over 80, its very hard to find insurers. I hope that the British people will take our cause to their hearts and public opinion will come our way."