On Friday 13 November 2020, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Commission proposal to strengthen the EU’s action in the health sector, through the so-called “EU4Health Programme” with an overwhelming majority (615 votes to 34 and 39 abstentions). MEPs have called for an ambitious and well-funded programme that include an improved access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Background
On 28 May 2020, the Commission published a new stand-alone EU4Health Programme for 2021-2027 as part of the Recovery Plan to build resilient health systems in the EU by tackling cross-border health threats, making medicines available and affordable, and strengthening health systems.
Indeed, COVID-19 has shown that the EU needs an ambitious programme to ensure that European health systems are more resilient to combat future health threats but also long-term challenges such as an ageing population and inequalities in health.
In their negotiations with Member States, MEPs successfully secured a budget of 5.1 billion euros for the programme instead of the €1.7 billion proposed by Member States.
Equally important is the call of the European Parliament to include sexual and reproductive health and rights at the heart of the programme. Thanks to the commitment of MEPs for SRR and other strong SRHR champions, enhancing access to SRHR is now listed as a clear EU4Health’s objective. The Programme will also support the EU’s contribution to international and global health commitments and initiatives, including access to SRHR.
In details, EU 4 Health will:
- boost EU’s preparedness for major cross border health threats by creating reserves of medical supplies for crises, a reserve of healthcare staff and experts that can be mobilised to respond to crises across the EU and increased surveillance of health threats;
- strengthen health systems so that they can face epidemics as well as long-term challenges by stimulating disease prevention, digital transformation of health systems and access to health care for vulnerable groups
- make medicines and medical devices available and affordable, advocate the prudent and efficient use of antimicrobials as well as promote medical and pharmaceutical innovation and greener manufacturing.
MEPs involved in the amendments:
Hon. Véronique Trillet-Lenoir, MEP (Renew)
Hon. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, MEP (Renew)
Hon. Sophie in 't Veld, MEP (Renew)
Hon. Heléne Fritzon, MEP (S&D)
Hon. Maria Noichl, MEP(S&D)
Hon. Jytte Guteland, MEP (S&D)
Hon. Sara Cerdas, MEP (S&D)
Hon. Malin Björk, MEP (GUE/NGL)
Hon. Michèle Rivasi, MEP (Greens/EFA)
Hon. Terry Reintke, MEP (Greens/EFA)