Commission takes ’extreme position’ on market healthcare debate
(5 September 2006, Brussels) In quotes attributed to the Health Commissioner in the Financial Times of 5 September, the European Commission today signalled that it is willing to take an extreme position on the influence of the internal market in healthcare, ahead of any democratic debate on the issue. Already reeling from their complete failure to include healthcare in the Services Directive, the European Commission has decided to preclude any upcoming debate with the statement ’"the internal market applies to health services. People can shop around". The quotes were attributed to the Health Commissioner Mr. Markos Kyprianou in the context of cross-border health provision. The article goes on to make a link between market influence in health care and the fact that "Opening the market could provide lucrative opportunities for private providers to lure clients".
EPSU General Secretary Carola Fischbach Pyttel stated that: "the Commission has drawn very aggressive battle lines in initiating this debate. EPSU intends to ensure that this debate is about principles of accessible healthcare for all, universality and care based on need". The European Commission has already attempted to frame the debate as being ’pro-patient’, while ignoring the evidence that investment in local healthcare is what is required. EPSU will continue to emphasise that the Commission’s stance will result in healthcare being provided on the ability to pay, and not based on medical need.
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