HOPE co-organised a joint post-election event “The EU health debate 2019-2024: Health Champions Wanted!” on 9 October 2019 between 18h30 and 20h30 at the European Parliament, Brussels.

What are the main health policy challenges for the EU? How can the EU promote high quality and sustainable healthcare for all? These and other challenges require EU action and health champions in the European Parliament. With our event we hoped to bring together committed MEPs with the health community to discuss how to take next steps together to ensure health remains high on the European Parliament agenda for the next five years.

The event, which was co-hosted by MEP Dr Peter Liese (EPP, DE) and Dr Sara Cerdas (S&D, PT), was jointly organised by the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM), the Council of European Dentists (CED), the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), the European Medical Students’ Association (EMSA), the European Patients Forum (EPF), the European Social Insurance Platform (ESIP), EuroHealthNet, the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE) and the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU).

Please find the agenda.

A Summary Report of the event is now available.

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Joint Press Release, 09/10/2019

EU health community presents itself to the European Parliament in a firm and united voice

Today, 9 October 2019, nine EU umbrella health organisations will hold a debate: ”EU 2019-2024: Health Champions Wanted” on the health policy challenges for the European Union in the coming years. The debate will be hosted in the European Parliament by MEPs Dr Peter Liese (EPP, DE) and Dr Sara Cerdas (S&D, PT). The goal of the event is to raise awareness on the main public health priorities including universal access to high quality and sustainable healthcare, disease prevention, the fight against cross-border healthcare threats and health inequities, as well as a continued supply of medicines for EU citizens. These challenges require urgent EU action and appropriate budgets.

The EU health community believes that, when working together, the Member States of the EU can add genuine value to national efforts to improve the effectiveness of health systems and deliver patient-centered-care to their communities.

Committed Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are invited to join the event that will discuss how to face these challenges while guaranteeing a safe, fair and efficient healthcare for citizens of the European Union.

The EU health community is looking forward to contributing as a key interlocutor in the dialogue with MEPs on EU healthcare and public health issues. It encourages the European Parliament to join its effort to ensure that health policy remains high on the European Union agenda for the next five years.

“When we wish people something good for their anniversary or for the New Year, we always say that health is the most important. That is why politics at all levels should make health a priority. While many areas are in the responsibility of the Member States, there is a lot of responsibility for the European Union too, according to the treaties.” (MEP Dr Peter Liese)

“My ambition is to have health in all policies, and for strong health policies we need discuss together what we want and how can we achieve a healthier Europe. This debate is an excellent opportunity to share visions with different stakeholders and define how we can address the main public health challenges” (MEP Dr Sara Cerdas)