Cross border healthcare closer to reality
Posted, March 31, 2009 @ 11:00
Brussels, 31st March 2009 -- Patients will have a clear and accessible system for which to seek hospital treatment in other EU countries, said John Bowis MEP, Conservative health spokesman and the European Parliament's draftsman on the cross border healthcare report, after MEPs in the environment and public health committee adopted his proposals today.
This report seeks to provide national clarity on when and how patients can travel abroad for treatment as, to date, the issue of a patient's right to seek healthcare abroad has been decided by the courts. Of particular importance for Bowis was that the system was based on patients' needs rather than their means, therefore a key feature of his proposals is that patients will not need to find money up front to pay for their treatment.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Bowis said:
"Patients will have a right to seek treatment across the European Union if their national health provider has let them down with a poor or delayed service. The current system has too often caused people unnecessary confusion at a particularly vulnerable time in their lives and it is essential that we provide greater clarity and legal certainty.
"This directive will enable patients to seek treatment across the EU with a greater sense of confidence and certainty. It is particularly important that this system is not exclusive and bases a patient's right to treatment on their needs and not their means."