The Parliament's latest policy report explores what's next for the EU's health policy.
The Covid-19 pandemic thrust healthcare onto the EU agenda, as member states struggled to contain a virus with no respect for national borders. Spurred on by pressure from the bloc’s influential health lobby, the EU responded by establishing a dedicated public health committee in the European Parliament.
But as new crises take over, healthcare now risks being starved of political attention and funding.
In this policy report, third-term MEP Tilly Metz – a champion for the EU’s healthcare agenda – discusses key developments in EU health policy, as well as challenges that lie ahead.
Lavinia Nocelli explores one of the biggest issues facing health systems across the bloc: an ageing population – and a potential solution to it.
In the opinion section, MEP Romana Jerković makes the case for greater EU-level integration on health, while MEP Emmanouil Fragkos argues that healthcare should remain primarily a national competence.
MEP Stine Bosse, meanwhile, explores how digital technology could offer Europe a competitive edge in healthcare innovation, and MEP Marc Angel raises the alarm over rising rates of HIV infections across the continent.
They’re joined by MEP András Kulja, a medical doctor, who calls for a stronger focus on prevention to ease many of the crises impacting EU health systems.
With other crises dominating headlines, healthcare’s path forward in the EU promises to be an interesting one.
- Matt Lynes is The Parliament's opinion & policy report editor