Brussels, 08/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has received a large response to the consultation on healthcare launched in September last year from Member States, and also patient associations, hospital federations and others involved in the healthcare sector. These responses will now be analysed by Commissioner Markos Kyprianou's services with a view to presenting the results at the informal meeting of the Health Ministers scheduled for 19 and 20 April in Aachen. As the Commissioner recently pointed out in an interview with Le Figaro, “with the exception of the Netherlands, which does not see the need for legislation, the Twenty-Seven want a clearer and more secure legal framework” (see also EUROPE 9354). The Commission is due to present a draft directive, at the end of 2007 or, more probably, in the first half of 2008, as this seems to be “the most appropriate” legal instrument in this case. Although some ministers have recently cited the potential usefulness of a regulation on certain issues, those close to the Commissioner think that there is “already a regulation on social security which we have just revised and we are not going to create another one". The preparation of a directive should not, however, prevent a whole toolbox being developed, including recommendations, use of the open method of coordination or even simplified use of bilateral agreements. The future directive “will not go back on the case law of the Court”, the Commission stresses, reiterating that it is a matter of “rationalising [this case law] and making it more effective” while still maintaining it in its entirety. (oj)