On 28/29 April 2003 the EP Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament discussed the draft report by Jean Lambert MEP (Greens/EFA, UK) on freedom of movement of European citizens.
MEP Herman Schmid, (European United Left/Nordic Green Left, SE) raised the concern that more flexible rules could lead to health tourism which could not be controlled or stopped. Professor Yves Jorens from the University of Ghent, on the other hand, stated that there is no need to be afraid of health tourism. If there is a better health system in another country, why not allow people to cross the border? Mr Jorens asked MEPs. Rapporteur Jean Lambert pointed out that Commission and Council do not want to harmonise Member States’ social security systems, but new regulations are needed for better co-ordination. If EU citizens cross the border, they automatically enter another country’s health system. One of the main points of the agenda was the freedom of movement of patients, following recent rulings from the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
The conclusions of the debate were that a co-ordination of the Health Care systems of the Member States was needed and that greater policy initiatives at EU level is preferable to allowing the ECJ to create de-facto policy. The Commission and Council will continue to work on the co-ordination of social security system regulations and it will be discussed again in June.
