EU process of economic cooperation highlights need for effective and accessible health systems
On 17 May 2017, the Commission published its proposals for Council Recommendations to Member States regarding their National Reform Programmes and their Stability or Convergence Programmes for 2017. These Country Specific Recommendations, which include health-related ones, are delivered each year in the context of cycle of Economic Policy coordination in the EU, the so-called “European Semester”. The need for health systems reforms have been identified in several countries since the beginning of the European Semester process, and this year, several Member States received recommendations to reform their health systems to correspond with the priorities set by the European Commission. The priorities for action at national and EU level in health systems are determined on a yearly basis by the Annual Growth Surveys. They underpinned subsequent recommendations for health systems’ reforms which have received increasing attention in the economic governance process, focusing mainly on fiscal consolidation at the earliest stages and progressively moving towards a more balanced approach between fiscal, social and health considerations. Head of Cabinet of the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Arūnas Vinčiūnas explains more.
Why are 'health-related Country Specific Recommendations' important for the future good health of EU citizens?
Health systems are complex organisations whose good functioning is crucial for the good health of EU citizens. Against the backdrop of a changing environment, Member States need to ensure that health systems are able to adapt effectively to people’s needs and identify and apply innovative solutions to tackle the significant challenges ahead, with the ultimate goal of improving the health of the population they serve. The Commission supports Member States in this work, providing analysis and forecasts, and recommending reforms based on evidence provided by robust and comparable information.
What are the priority reforms for 2017?
The Annual Growth Survey 2017 outlines the most pressing economic and social priorities on which the European Union and its Member States need to focus their attention in the coming months. In the area of health, policies should ensure access to quality healthcare and support and reinforce social safety nets, through preventive, curative and rehabilitation policies. Therefore, Member States need to continue to reform their health systems to ensure universal access to cost-effective health services and protect the population from falling into poverty or social exclusion due to ill-health and related expenditure.
How does the EU support health systems reforms?
The Member States should make full use of the opportunities offered to them at EU level to step up the implementation of the key reforms highlighted in the country-specific recommendations addressed to them. Therefore, they are encouraged to make effective use of the tools available at the EU level, for example the European Structural and Investment Funds, the Structural Reform Support Programme and the Investment Plan for Europe. The Commission is ready to assist, as necessary.
Activities at EU level
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European Commission – Strategy |
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2017 European Semester: Country Reports European Commission – Strategy |
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European Pillar of Social Rights European Commission – Strategy |
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European Commission – Health and Food Safety |
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Health Systems Performance Assessment European Commission – Health and Food Safety |
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ECHI – European Core Health Indicators European Commission – Health and Food Safety |
News
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Spring 2017 European Semester package: Commission issues country-specific recommendations The country-specific recommendations set out the Commission's economic policy guidance for individual Member States for the next 12 to 18 months. As health is an integral part of the economy, recommendations to build effective, accessible and resilient national health systems are also part of this guidance. |
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The Communication dates from 2014 but is well worth reading today for a clear explanation of the Commission's goal of helping Member States build effective, accessible and resilient health systems and for the examples of inequalities between systems that it provides. |
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Expert Group on Health Systems Performance Assessment to meet on 8 – 9 June in Luxembourg The meeting will include a joint session with the Expert Group on Health Information. The Minutes from the Expert Group's previous meeting on 24 March are published here. |
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Expert Group reports on tools and methodologies to assess integrated care in Europe In the report called 'BLOCKS', the Expert Group on Health Systems Performance Assessment looks at ways to assess integrated care in Europe. |
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Joint Report presents policy challenges for health care and long-term care The Joint Report on Health Care and Long-Term Care Systems and Fiscal Sustainability, by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs and the Economic Policy Committee, also suggests ways to ensure fiscally sustainable access to good quality services for all. |
Other interesting links
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Health at a Glance: Europe 2016 This Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication presents key indicators of health and health systems in the 28 EU countries, 5 candidate countries to the EU and 3 EFTA countries. |
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European Observatory for Health Systems and Policies The Observatory supports and promotes evidence-based health policy-making through comprehensive analysis of health care systems in Europe. Partnership members include the Commission, the WHO and many national governments, among many others. |