Health

8.1) The creation of a European health data space, which would facilitate exchange of health data; individual medical records could be made available - on a voluntary basis - through an EU individual electronic health passport, in compliance with data protection rules.

8.2) Adequate working conditions, in particular through strong collective bargaining, including in terms of wages and working arrangements, and harmonisation of training and certification standards for health professionals; networking and exchange programmes should be developed such as an Erasmus for medical schools, contributing notably to skills development. In order to ensure talent retention, young professionals' knowledge and working experiences, EU exchange programmes need to be established to motivate our best minds in Life Sciences not to be drained by third countries.

8.3) Ensuring strategic autonomy at EU level to avoid dependency on third countries for medicines (in particular active ingredients) and medical devices (including raw materials); in particular, a list of essential and priority, but also innovative medicines and treatments (such as biotechnology solutions) should be established at EU level relying on existing European agencies and HERA, to guarantee their availability for citizens. Consider organising coordinated strategic stockpiling throughout the EU. In order to achieve the necessary coordinated, long-term action at Union level, include health and healthcare among the shared competencies between the EU and the EU Member States by amending Article 4 TFUE.

* This measure has been identified as needing Treaty change for full implementation.

8.4) Further developing, coordinating and funding existing health research and innovation programmes without undermining other health-related programmes, including for European Reference Networks as they constitute the basis of the development of networks of medical care for highly specialised and complex treatments.

8.5) Investing in the health systems, in particular public and non-for profit, infrastructure and digital health and ensuring that healthcare providers respect the principles of full accessibility, affordability and quality of services, hence ensuring that resources are not drained by profit-oriented health operators with little to no regard for the general interest.

There are currently no implementing initiatives that address this particular CoFE measure.

8.6) Issuing strong recommendations to the Member States to invest in effective, accessible, affordable, high-quality and resilient health systems, notably in the context of the European Semester. The impact of the war in Ukraine on public health demonstrates the need to further develop resilient health systems and solidarity mechanisms.