Laws will make it easier to travel for medical treatment
In theory EU citizens can be treated in other member states for illnesses but in practice getting permission and having the costs of treatment refunded can be difficult.
New legislation to make it easier has been put forward by the European Commission, but it needs both the member state governments and the European Parliament to agree the details.
MEPs agreed to a report co-written by Irish MEP Colm Burke that patients in three specific areas could travel to another member state for healthcare without prior authorisation.
These would be in the case of medical urgency, the existence of a waiting list in their home country or patients diagnosed with rare diseases.
They also agreed that patients should be directly reimbursed for treatment costs and for higher quality standards for education and higher data protection standards.
Following warnings from the Irish and British medical profession, medical authorities would have to share information on medical practitioners who have been struck off the medical registry, regardless of where they are based in the EU.
Mr Burke said the vote in favour of his report would provide a clear legal framework for patients who cross borders to receive healthcare.
“This vote sends an important message to patients throughout Europe, irrespective of nationality, that Europe cares and wants to ensure that they have the highest standards of quality and safety should they go abroad for healthcare. Everyone should have the right to have high-quality healthcare as close to home as possible,” said the Fine Gael Ireland South MEP.
The new legislation, which should come into force over the next 18 months, is a result of several rulings by the European Court of Justice that patients have a right to have their healthcare costs reimbursed, even if they could have received the same care at home.
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