financial

[EPHA Call to Action] Health in the reform of economic governance

EPHA has launched a call for action for health, civil society and the reform of EU economic governance. Since the financial crisis began in 2007, the EU has introduced numerous new mechanisms, such as tighter coordination of economic and fiscal policies, to alleviate the current symptoms and prevent their recurrence. Several of those measures have impacts on health systems and consequently on health. The EU nowadays has stronger influence and control over national health systems than it (...)

Policy responses to the economic crisis – a shift towards investing in health?

[EPHA Consultation] Response on sustainable development

EPHA took part in the recent consultation on sustainable development. At the meeting, EPHA suggested a number of ways that health could be promoted in the follow up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) 2012. EPHA strongly supports the efforts made by the Council to support sustainable development and the Beyond GDP agenda. Moreover, EPHA calls on the Commission to include a health dimension and to give strong political support for progress measures beyond GDP (...)

Strengthening Nursing Education Saves Lives

The impact of the economic crisis on nursing and health systems and subsequent challenges that the European Union faces, are highlighting areas where greater policy making and political decisions are needed. The updating of the Directive 2005/36/EC could politically be a step back to the Seventies if decisions are taken without considering existing evidence. The health sector is recognised as being a key driver to increasing growth and economic sustainability, yet the lack of investment (...)

Eleven countries set to "green light" Financial Transaction Tax

Following the EU Finance Minister meeting in Luxembourg in October, 10 Countries wrote to the Commission to show their support for a financial transaction Tax. On 23 October, the Commission launched its proposal. On the 23 October, The European Commission set forward its proposals for a Financial Transaction Tax through enhanced cooperation with Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. Estonia is consulting with its Parliament at the (...)

EU Sugar Regime - should the public health community be concerned?

The European Union (EU) is the world’s biggest producer of beet sugar and the principal importer of raw cane sugar for refining. The EU sugar market is regulated by production quotas (dating back to 1968), a minimum beet price and trade mechanisms. However, the Commission’s legislative proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2013 includes no proposal to continue the sugar production quota regime after 2015. An intense struggle is underway between EU sugar (...)

New WHO study on Policy responses to the Financial Crisis

A publication released by the WHO shows how the response to the economic crisis across the European Region varies across health systems. The Study highlights the three main challenges facing policy-makers: Health systems require predictable sources of revenue. Sudden interruptions to public revenue streams can make it difficult to maintain necessary levels of health care. Cuts to public spending on health made in response to an economic shock typically come at a time when health (...)

State of the union- political commitment to FTT and an EU budget for social cohesion

In the State of the Union, President of the Commission Jose-Manuel Barroso unveiled plans for a fiscal union with greater monitoring of the financial sector. He also reiterated the Commissions commitment to support an FTT. Finally, as the Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations intensify, Mr Barroso committed to working with Member States and the Parliament to achieve an ambitious budget. Discussing the long-term EU budget, Mr Barroso described the proposal as “realistic, yet (...)

Barroso calls for fairness and equity in structural reforms adopted in EU Member States

For the first time President Barroso addresses the social consequences of the financial crisis in his “State of the Union” address. President Barroso warns of a real social emergency and says structural reforms will only work if it is fair and equitable because inequality is not sustainable. He argued that fairness is an essential to make economic reforms acceptable – “fairness is a question of justice, social justice.” In his speech to Members of (...)

EPHA Press Release: MEPs lead urgent plea from health community to prevent health crisis in Europe

Ahead of the European Summit of June (28-29), leading Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) joined a broad coalition of organisations warning European leaders to act urgently to prevent Europe from a health crisis.