Big step forward for patients' rights in Europe- Colm Burke MEP
The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament (IMCO) voted last night in favour of a report that sets a new base for patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. The common line of the EPP-ED and ALDE Groups has been broadly adopted.In three specific areas, the Committee accepted our demand for access to healthcare without prior authorisation in three specific instances: medical urgency; the existence of a waiting list in the home Member State; or patients diagnosed with rare diseases. It also voted in favour of a system for direct reimbursement of treatment costs, improved quality standards for education and higher data protection standards. The Committee rejected all attempts to introduce protection mechanisms by Member States to the detriment of patients wishing to get cross-border health care. Colm Burke MEP, Shadow Rapporteur for the EPP-ED Group in IMCO, welcomed the result of the vote. Speaking on the outcome, he highlighted the necessity to provide a clear legal framework for patients who cross borders to receive healthcare.
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