Commission consults on cross-border health services 

The Commission has adopted a Communication for consultation regarding the establishment of an EU framework on healthcare services to ensure cross-border access to safe, high-quality and efficient care. The focus is to provide legal certainty for cross-border patients and help co-operation between member states' health services.

"Community law provides patients with rights to cross-border care under Community law, but we need a clear, practical framework to reconcile greater individual choice with the sustainability of health systems overall," explained Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou.

The Consultation regarding Community action on health services communication, adopted on 26 September 2006, launches a public consultation seeking input from member states, the European Parliament, patients, health professionals, healthcare purchasers (social security institutions) and providers, as well as regional and national health authorities. The Commission is asking for comments on nine specific questions to know: 

• Where greater legal certainty is required;
• areas where EU action could support more member state co-operation and the tools to do so, and;
• the impact of cross-border healthcare for both 'sending' and 'receiving' countries.