Public health
- (Photo: European Commission)
The EU is empowered under the treaties to take measures to ensure a high level of human health protection. The EU may complement, co-ordinate, and promote national measures of public health, but not legislate directly. This power (competence) remains with the Member States.
The EU Court decided in the Kohll case (C-158/96) that medical treatment is also subject to the principle of free movement of services.
Notes
For 2003-2008 the EU-budget for public health is 312 million Euro.
Future
The Lisbon Treaty proposes that common safety concerns in public health matters becomes shared competence (art. 4(2k) TFEU) - EU law would therefore suppress member states' existing legislation and right to legislate in this area (art. 2.2 TFEU). Other questions relating to the protection of human health fall within the area of supporting, coordinating or complementary action. See Art. 6(a) and 118 TFEU.
A patients directive will be published after the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty 12 June 2008.
Links
Activities of the European Union: Public health: http://europa.eu/pol/health/index_en.htm
