The ageing of the population, cuts in health budgets, and rising levels of health inequalities where some of the focal points addressed in the debate “Future Scenarios for the EU. What role for the Healthcare” that took place in June, at the European Parliament in Brussels. This debate was organized by the European Parliament Interest Group on Access in cooperation with the Patients Access Partnership (PACT), of which EFA is official partner.
In the framework of the recent dynamics in the EU and the discussions stemming from the White Paper on the Future of Europe, the meeting brought up the European added-value in the area of health and the possibilities to sustain cooperation in future. Can the EU meet the expectations of its citizens regarding its engagement in the area of health? What actions are required to ensure that citizens across the EU enjoy the equality of opportunity to access quality health care and services in their country?
MEP Cristian Busoi (Romania, EPP) underlined health should be viewed as a priority and the EU should remain an actor in this important area. Whatever the preferred scenario listed in the Commission White Paper, the EU institutions should continue to act in the field of health. On her side, MEP Lieve Wierinck (Belgium, ALDE) welcomed the EU’s engagement in the field of health, in particular the efforts in the areas of patient safety and medical devices.