Today the European Commission presented its proposal on Patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. ALDE is delighted that Commission Vassiliou has shown courage by coming forward with her proposal. The Liberals and Democrats regard this proposal as a first important step toward a free European patient area.

Today's proposal places legislative authority firmly within the remit of the European Parliament, so people's right to timely medical attention will no longer be subject to the outcome of EU-level litigation   

Graham Watson

ALDE Group Leader Graham Watson: "Today's proposal places legislative authority firmly within the remit of the European Parliament, so people's right to timely medical attention will no longer be subject to the outcome of EU-level litigation. This will deliver to our citizens "medecine without frontiers".
 
Although it will not create new entitlements, this directive will make it easier for patients to exercise their rights and will ensure equal access to cross-border healthcare. For Liberals and Democrats this long-overdue directive is a step towards the free movement of patients - a step we hope to make before the end of the Parliament's mandate".
 
"This is about patient's rights. Patients should be entitled to treatment in another EU member state if necessary, with no worry about costs, safety and quality. Whereas today complex rules and legal uncertainty can be a barrier for people without many resources, this directive will ensure equal access for all patients to cross border health services."  said Jules Maaten MEP (VVD, The Netherlands) ALDE Health Issues Coordinator.

The directive gives patients the right to non-hospitalisation care in other Member States to the extent that they would be covered in their own Member State. They do not need prior authorisation and will be reimbursed by their own social security system. Patients may also seek hospital care in another Member State and get the costs reimbursed, but in this case the Member States can require prior authorisation.

The directive ensures free movement of and better information for patients. Furthermore, it will increase cooperation between health care systems by sharing expertise, innovation and information.