Scots MEP promotes patients' right to cross-border EU medical care
September 24, 2008 12:00 AM
Elspeth Attwooll MEP has joined with liberals and democrats from across the European Union to promote the right of EU citizens to medical treatment in other Member States.
The European Commission estimates that only 1% of EU citizens seek medical care in other EU countries, which means that people are stuck on waiting lists in one country while the treatment is available in another.
In response, the liberal group in the European Parliament has launched a new website to promote patients' rights in the EU.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's debate in the European Parliament, Elspeth said:
"Too many people lack information on where they stand and what they are entitled to in terms of treatment in other member countries, which is why we have set up the website.
In addition, when people do actually seek treatment they all too often find themselves tied up in red tape.
The right to medical care in other member countries has been firmly established by the European Courts. Now we must break down the barriers that are preventing people from taking up the right".
Notes:
• See www.patients-rights.eu.
• Liberal European Commissioner Vassiliou has recently proposed a directive on cross-border health care, which would give patients the right to non-hospitalisation care in other Member States to the same extent as health benefits in their own Member State. They would not need prior authorisation and would be reimbursed by their own social security system. Patients would also be able to seek hospital care in another Member State and get the costs reimbursed, but this could require prior authorisation.
• The proposals will be debated with Commission and Council during this week's plenary in Brussels (on Thursday 25th). See http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+AGENDA+20080925+SIT+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats