The EU to strengthen patients’ rights when seeking healthcare in other EU countries
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) is to meet on 30 November–1 December in Brussels. An important issue on the agenda is the Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. The ministers are also to discuss the new influenza, the problem of increased antimicrobial resistance, recovery after the financial and economic crisis and gender equality.
Photo: The Council of the European Union
Sweden's Minister for Employment Sven Otto Littorin and Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni chair the first day of the EPSCO meeting.
30 November: Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni
1 December: Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health Maria Larsson
Swedish Minister for Employment Sven Otto Littorin and Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni will chair the meeting on the first day, which is devoted to employment and social policy. On the second day, during which ministers will discuss health policy, Swedish Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health Maria Larsson and Minister for Health and Social Affairs Göran Hägglund will chair the meeting.
Patients’ rights when seeking healthcare in other EU countries
The main point on the health ministers’ agenda is the Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. With the new regulations in place, it will become easier and safer for EU citizens to seek healthcare abroad. EU citizens are to be able to seek and receive health, medical and dental care in another EU country and have the costs reimbursed by their country of origin. The main principle of the proposal is that patients should be able to do this without needing prior permission. The Swedish Presidency’s goal is for the ministers to reach a political agreement on the proposal at the Council meeting.
The new influenza (H1N1) has continued to spread around the world. The ministers will receive a status report from the Presidency and the European Commission on the development of the new influenza in the EU and its neighbouring countries. They will also have an opportunity to discuss lessons learnt so far and future challenges and cooperation.
Increase of antimicrobial resistance a rapidly growing problem
Ministers are also expected to adopt conclusions on antimicrobial resistance. The increase and spread of antimicrobial resistance and the lack of effective antibiotics is a rapidly growing European and global problem. The conclusions will include incentives to develop new, effective antibiotics.
How is the labour market to recover from the economic downturn?
The ministers will discuss what measures should be taken in the event of a deep recession to counter the negative effects such a recession would have on employment.
The Council is also expected to adopt conclusions on labour market inclusion and how the labour market is to recover from the economic and financial crisis. The conclusions underline the need for an active and inclusive labour market policy in conjunction with an active social security policy, in order to ensure a high level of employment. Both the outcome of the discussion and the conclusions will be passed on the heads of state and government at the European Council on 10–11 December. This will form part of the background material in the work to formulate the next EU Strategy for Growth and Jobs, which is to enter into force when the current Lisbon Strategy expires in 2010.
At the meeting, the Commission will also present a working document on how the economic and financial crisis has affected employment in the EU.
Gender equality important part of the EU’s future work on growth and jobs
The Council is expected to discuss and adopt conclusions on gender equality within the context of the work on the continuation of the EU strategy for growth and jobs after 2010. The conclusions will highlight the link between gender equality, economic growth and employment. In the conclusions, the Member States will be urged to promote childcare and to reduce differences in pay and other gender-related differences on the labour market.
The ministers will also discuss a proposal from the Commission on the principle of equal treatment of self-employed women and men. The proposal is part of the European Commission’s work to review and update the EU's equal opportunities legislation. The objective is to make it easier for women and men to combine gainful work and family life.
The ministers will also receive a status report on a Commission proposal prohibiting discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The rules will apply to all individuals, in both the private and the public sectors, when it comes to, for example, healthcare, social benefits, education and access to goods and services.
Published
27 November09:42
Updated
30 November13:37
Location
Brussels, Belgium
Contacts
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Niclas Thorselius
Press Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
+46 8 405 10 00
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Martin Kits
Press Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
+46 8 405 10 00
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Karolin A Johansson
Press Secretary to Minister for Employment Sven Otto Littorin
+46 8 405 10 00
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Karin Karlsbro
Political Adviser to the integration and equality minister Nyamko Sabuni
+46 702 918 971
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Elisabet Dahlén Jonsson
Press Officer at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union
+46 8 405 10 00
