Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-09-25-Speech-4-021"
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"en.20080925.4.4-021"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, now we European parliamentarians have a chance to show that we are just that, European parliamentarians. That we are standing up for the Treaty and the rights it gives us. That we are legislating with the patients’ best interests at heart, not to protect and support the protectionism which sometimes informs the debate. That we are committed to finding added value in cooperating to give our patients the best possible care, wherever that may be.
The proposal that Commissioner Vassiliou has presented is a good starting point and to be applauded. We must complete what she has begun and ensure that no unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles are introduced. To spell it out, that means that the Member States have no right to prevent free movement without reason. Requirements for prior authorisation may be imposed only in exceptional cases – if they are specified on the Commission’s list or if there is a risk of a mass exodus of patients which would undermine the health system. The idea that it might be imposed because so few patients have chosen to seek care abroad is highly unlikely. Thus the starting point is: no prior authorisation. Anything else would be contrary to the Treaty.
The next stage in this work on creating the conditions for optimum care is to implement the directive correctly. Sick people should not have to go to court in order to validate their rights and to get unjustified requirements for prior authorisation overruled. The Court of Justice will rule in favour of freedom of movement, but at what cost in terms of money and the health of patients who have to seek enforcement of their rights every time! I really hope that we can escape that experience, and I call on my fellow Members and the President-in-Office to help us; I am quite convinced that our Commissioner will help us."@en1
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