The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the weaknesses within Europe’s health systems and underscored a crucial truth: health threats do not stop at borders.
Whether it's the growing danger of antimicrobial resistance, the persistent burden of chronic diseases, or stark disparities in access to care, the rationale for a cohesive EU-level health policy has become indisputable.
At the outset of the pandemic, member states largely faced the Covid-19 crisis on their own, competing for vital supplies such as protective equipment and intensive care capacity. However, as the crisis deepened, so did our collective understanding that acting in isolation was unsustainable.
What followed was a shift towards joint responsibility and mutual support. Initiatives such as the European Health Union, the establishment of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), co-ordinated vaccine procurement, and the launch of the EU4Health programme emerged from this newfound spirit of solidarity. Today, these measures serve as a reminder that EU-level co-operation can save lives.
Health policy lowered on EU agenda
The pandemic rightly placed health at the centre of the EU agenda and encouraged the creation of the largest-ever EU health budget of €5.3bn. But we are now witnessing a troubling reversal.
This article is part of The Parliament's latest policy report, "Building a healthier Europe."
Health is once again being sidelined – treated more as an expenditure than as a strategic investment. The recent €1bn cut to the EU health budget risks undermining not only the health of our citizens, but also the resilience of our societies and the stability of our economies.
Health remains primarily a national competence, with the EU’s role largely limited to co-ordination, guidance and financial support. As a result, the success of flagship initiatives such as the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan ultimately hinges on the political will of individual member states to implement them.
This fragmented approach weakens our ability to respond swiftly and collectively in times of crisis. It also hinders progress on long-term challenges such as health workforce shortages and the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
EU health agenda needs political will
The case for a robust EU health policy framework is particularly clear when it comes to digital health and the use of data. Innovations like telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics and cross-border data sharing can only reach their full potential if deployed at the EU level.
The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is a promising step forward, but its success will depend on sustained political commitment, harmonised governance and active collaboration across all member states to truly transform both research and patient care.
A stronger EU health competence would not replace national systems. Instead, it would reinforce them by providing shared standards, pooled resources and cross-border strategies, as well as by reducing the persistent inequalities.
Building a true European Health Union takes more than good intentions – it takes political courage. It means stepping beyond high-level declarations and putting real investment into institutions.
We’ve seen what happens when health only becomes a priority in times of crisis: we scramble, we patch, but we don’t build. But if we give health the space it truly deserves, if we treat it not as a cost, but as a long-term investment, we can create a Europe that is more resilient, equal and healthier for everyone who calls it home.
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