Brussels, 25/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Health ministers meeting in Luxembourg on 22 June adopted a partial general approach on the EU's third multiannual health programme, covering the period from 2014 to 2020. Discussions did not take in the financial chapter, which will be debated at a later date during negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework. Most delegations gave their backing to the compromise submitted by the Danish Presidency of the Council of Ministers which, itself, generally supported the approach proposed by the European Commission. It did, however, incorporate a number of amendments including a change of name and alteration of the order of importance of the objectives. The Commission tabled a reservation on the text, unable to agree to the change of name proposed by the Council for the new programme. The Council would like it to be called “health and growth” rather than the “health for growth”, as the Commission would have it. Health Commissioner John Dalli is not convinced of that change, taking the view that it is an expression to be avoided, as health is a prerequisite for growth. The Council suggestion, however, separates health and growth and breaks the important link between them, he pointed out. The Commission's intent is to highlight the contribution health makes to job creation, supporting innovation and research, and increasing healthy life expectancy. The Commission is happy, though, to accept the proposed change in the order of importance of the objectives: promoting health, preventing illness and fostering conditions for a healthy lifestyle as the first objective, protecting citizens from serious cross-border threats, as the second, promoting innovative, effective and viable health systems as the third, and finally safer and better quality health care.
The new health programme, for which the Commission is proposing a budget of €446, is an important component of the EUROPE 2020 strategy. It highlights the potential of the health sector as a driver of economic growth and job creation. The matter is now on the European Parliament (EP) table, for first reading evaluation. The EP health and environment committee has already discussed the text and it, too, has proposed a change of title to “health and growth for citizens”. (IL/transl.rt)