STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Swedish tourists needing help in natural disasters and other crises abroad will be liable for their own healthcare and trips home, a government bill proposes.
The Swedish government will help out only during major catastrophes affecting large numbers of Swedes, in countries where local authorities can't help, the bill to be brought before Sweden's parliament says.
Sweden may also demand reimbursement for the cost of travel and healthcare provided to tourists in a crisis by the Swedish diplomatic service, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told Sweden's Tidningarnas Telegrambyra news agency.
"The bill presents a strong call for the state to help out when really necessary, but a strong call for individuals to take responsibility for themselves and purchase insurance," he said.
The bill follows disagreement about Stockholm's responsibility for Swedish citizens caught in disasters abroad -- an issue highlighted by the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the July 2006 Lebanon War.
Helping Swedes caught in the Asian tsunami cost Swedish taxpayers some $22 million and transporting Swedes from Lebanon in the war cost about $11 million, the foreign ministry said.
The government hopes the new rules will help Stockholm recoup part of the costs from those who benefit directly from rescue efforts, the news agency said.
