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Profit-driven legislation will force patients to seek care abroad

Date

19 Jan 2011

Sections

Health & Consumers

Speaking following the voting through of new rules on cross-border health treatment, Dutch GUE/NGL MEP Kartika Liotard denounced the EU vision of healthcare as a market product.

 

"Care is not a commercial, tradable good; it's a basic need for everyone. The new EU directive will mean that insurers drive patients abroad in search of cheaper treatment. But patients - especially if they are seriously ill - just need care in their region, close to their family and a doctor who speaks their language."

"Patients from rich countries will be able to travel to less expensive, poorer, countries where there is a threat that care standards for locals will deteriorate to make room for profitable health tourism."

 

 

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACTS:

David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 64 66 28
Inga Keilmann (DE) +32 493 60 10 23
Gauche Unitaire Européenne/Nordic Green Left

European Parliamentary Group