June Newsletter 2010

*Updated* Crossborder Healthcare Directive adopted

On 28 Februrary 2011, the Council approved the European Parliament’s amendments on a draft Directive, and the Crossborder Healthcare Directive has been adopted. Please read on for more information. Update February 2011 On 28 February 2011, the Council approved the European Parliament’s amendments on a draft directive. The European Parliament’s amendments reflect a second-reading-compromise reached between the Belgian Presidency and representatives of the European (...)

*Updated*: Call for Participants - EPHA 2010-11 Professional Development Programme

EPHA’s popular Professional Development Programme will continue this year, with a new intake of young health professionals starting in October 2010. What is it? EPHA’s PDP is an excellent opportunity for those new to Brussels to get an introduction to the European Union and to Brussels life. Open to EPHA members as well as non-members, it provides a chance for young professionals working in health-related organisations to develop their social and professional networks. It is (...)

EPHA Consultation on draft position on information to patients

The consultation of the draft EPHA position on Information to Patients is now closed. The final position is now available. ***Updated*** The EPHA position on Information to Patients has now been finalised and is now available for members. The position will remain confidential until it is publically released by the Secretariat. **************** Draft position on information to patients opened to comments and amendments until 20 August 2010 (now closed) Ahead of the revised European (...)

EPHA Open Letter supporting a reform of the Spanish tobacco legislation

On 8 June 2010, EPHA sent an open letter to Ms Trinidad Jimenez, the Spanish Minister of Health and Social Policies, regarding the reform of the tobacco legislation presented on 2 June 2010. The reform is welcomed by the European Public Health Alliance as an example for other countries across the world to follow. On 20 October 2010, the Spanish parliament passed the law. *Update 20 October 2010* On Wednesday 20 October 2010, the Spanish parliament passed a law strenghtening the smoking (...)

Almost 200 MEPs supported the Written Declaration on EU Workforce for Health

The Written Declaration on the EU Workforce for Health opened for signatures on Monday, 17 May 2010 at the European Parliament received the support of almost 200 MEPs. EPHA strongly supported the Written Declaration and welcomes the commitment of 1/4 of Members of the European Parliament. On 17 September 2010, the Written Declaration officially lapsed in the Parliament. It obtained 182 signatures from MEPs working in various committees and coming from across party lines. The Written (...)

THE CAP Post-2013 – Summing-up conference on the public debate

Following the public debate on the CAP post-2013 the European Commission has organised a conclusive conference on the public debate for the 19 and 20 July 2010. The aim of the conference is to bring together diverse stakeholders and their contributions presented during the public debate launched by European Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Cioloş earlier this year. It provides an opportunity for further discussion on the future of the CAP after 2013. The conference is an important (...)

Secretariat News June 2010

1. Activity and communication 2010 EPHA Annual General Assembly EPHA’s 2010 Annual General Assembly took place on 17-18 June 2010 in Brussels. More information on the 2010 AGA highlights, including the Annual Policy Coordination Meeting focusing on EPHA’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, the public debate on ’’What is Public Health?’’, as well as the presentations is available to members here. A new Executive Committee member was elected at the AGA. EPHA is (...)

EPHA’s opinion on Smart Regulation

The European Public Health Alliance responds to the European Commission consultation on Smart Regulation and proposes several ways to ensure that public interests, transparency and accountability of decision making to citizens are at the centre of the future Smart Regulation Agenda. The Smart Regulation Agenda is the follow-up to the ’Better Regulation Agenda’ which aimed to simplify legislations and reduce administrative burdens; better implement Impact Assessments; and (...)

Open Health Forum workshop discusses stakeholder involvement in ’Health in All Policies’

An EPHA-organised workshop at the Open Health Forum gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including economic drivers, industry and NGOs. Participants at the workshop gathered to discuss the involvement of non-health stakeholders in health policy decision making, as well as health stakeholders’ involvement in policies which affect health but over which they do not have direct involvement or ownership. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the opportunities and challenges in (...)

*Updated June 2010* European Council adopts ’2020 strategy’ EU 2020 Strategy launched

*Updated June 2010* On 17 June, the European Council adopted "Europe 2020." The Council Conclusions outline EU headline targets. The Commission released the EU 2020 Strategy in early March. The Strategy was then discussed by EU leaders at the Spring Summit. In this article you can find the targets of the strategy and the conclusions from the Summit. *Updated June 2010* On 17 June, the European Council adopted the "Europe 2020" strategy In its conclusions, the European Council (...)