Improving the cross-border healthcare system in the European Union
4.12.2019
Question for written answer E-004195/2019
to the Commission
Rule 138
Tomislav Sokol (PPE)
The Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (2011/24/EU) sets out the conditions under which a patient may travel to another EU Member State to receive medical care and reimbursement. It covers healthcare costs, as well as the prescription and delivery of medications and medical devices.
However, as stated in Parliament’s resolution of 12 February 2019 on the implementation of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive [1] , the European Court of Auditors Special Report entitled ‘EU actions for cross-border healthcare: significant ambitions but improved management required’, CJEU cases and other relevant research and reports, patients still encounter obstacles when dealing with the cross-border health system in the EU. There is still considerable room for improving the provision of cross-border healthcare and the free movement of patients and for simplifying the reimbursement procedures in several Member States.
- 1.How will the Commission address the issue of the reluctance of national competent authorities to implement the provisions of Directive 2011/24/EU (and especially the issue of arbitrary or unjustified decisions of refusal to grant prior authorisation to individuals)?
- 2.Considering the challenges that patients face in accessing cross-border healthcare, does the Commission intend to revise Directive 2011/24/EU or the implementation of its provisions in order to further enforce patient rights?
- [1] Texts adopted, P8_TA(2019)0083.