National health systems to be co-ordinated more closely

EU ministers have agreed to introduce the system
of “open method of coordination” for the promotion
of health and long term care.

The Social Policy and Health Council has endorsed a
Commission proposal to apply the so-called ‘open method
of coordination’ (OMC) to deal with health care and
elderly care in the Member States. In line with the
decision, ministers have taken on board the Commission’s
objectives for work in this area, namely to
foster equal access to care, promote high-quality
care and to guarantee the long-term financial
sustainability of care.

The OMC is being used in policy areas where most or
all policy-making power remains with the Member States.
The Council stresses in its conclusions that OMC in
the area of health care should be introduced
progressively, placing emphasis on added value.
Furthermore, extended co-ordination should not result in
excessive administrative burdens and should involve
health ministries directly. Applying the OMC to the area
of health and long-term care complements successful
co-operation in other areas of social protection in this
manner, such as pensions and social inclusion.

In line with the timetable proposed by the Commission,
the Member States are required to submit preliminary
reports on the challenges facing their national systems
as well as their short and medium term policy priorities
by March 2005.

Meeting on 4 October, the Council reached political
agreement on a new directive aiming to achieve equal
treatment between women and men outside the
workplace. The directive would most notably
affect insurance policies, prohibiting Member
States from allowing differences in premiums and benefits
on the basis of sex, unless it is based on up-to-date and
publicly communicated statistical data. 

Germany abstained in the vote. The directive’s final
adoption is expected in December, subject to a unanimous
endorsement by Member States and following a legal
revision and translation into the EU’s official
languages. 

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