Update on the EU4Health Programme : ongoing negotiations
On 21 July 2020, the European Council (EC) adopted its Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), for the period from 2021 to 2027. The MFF was reinforced by the “Recovery” effort under Next Generation of the European Union (NGEU) instrument aimed at the implementation of the recovery from the socio-economic consequences of Covid-19 throughout Europe. The MFF financial budget for the coming seven years is €75 900 million. The MFF and NGEU were presented at the request of the Heads of State of Government, in the context of emergency measures to prevent economic collapse in the current health crisis, and to preserve EU citizens’ health.
A number of EU programs, including the programme for the EU’s action in the health sector, the EU4Health programme, within the MFF have suffered cuts as a result of the measures to ensure economy recovery. The health community, as well as the rare diseases community, have raised their voices against the MFF cuts.
EURORDIS, Rare Diseases Europe, expressed in a statement its disappointment following the drastic reduction of the EU4Health programme. € 1.7 billion was cut from the initial EU4Health programme budget of € 9.4 billion proposed by the EC. For EURORDIS, the European Council decision will affect the activities, programs, and achievements of the rare disease community.
EURORDIS Chief Executive Officer, Yann Le Cam, urged the Parliament, the European parliament negotiators, and the German presidency of the European Council to use its negotiating powers to reverse the decision. The EURORDIS Chief Executive Officer stated that, on the contrary, that the MFF and the revision of the MFF was the opportunity to increase the rare diseases budget, and to promote telemedicine, home therapies, and better infrastructures.
In a resolution, on 23 July 2020, the European Union warned that the cuts to the MFF would be contrary to EU’s objectives and beliefs. For the European Parliament, the cuts to health, research and innovation programmes are dangerous in the context of a pandemic, and the mentioned cuts will jeopardise the future of the next generation of European citizens. The European Parliament voiced against a political agreement among the Heads of States, and stated that other solutions (further cuts to programmes with EU added value going to 2058, increasing contributions of Member States, or creation of new resources) would have been prefered instead of the cuts.
The European Parliament warned that cuts to the MFF would undermine the foundations of a sustainable and resilient recovery. Close attention to the coordination of activities funded is required through Horizon Europe. It is the same case for activities funded through other EU programmes, for example under the cohesion policy area. Synergies are also encouraged with the aim of developing excellence, and enhancing regional ability, research and innovation capacities throughout all EU regions.
On 14 October 2020, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted its report on EU4Health with 74 votes to 5, and 1 abstention. The Members of the Parliament (MEPs) said that an ambitious EU Health programme is needed to fill the gaps observed following the Covid-19 pandemic, and to strengthen the health systems against future threats. The MEPs announced their intention to raise the budget of the EU4Health Programme to € 9,4 billion, in accordance with the initial proposition of the EC.
The MEPs adopted a report highlighting a number of objectives, including more focus on disease prevention, reducing health inequalities, prevent and manage chronic diseases, take more specific actions to address medicine shortages, or digitalise healthcare systems (creation of the European eHealth Record). The MEPs proposed the creation of a steering committee made up of public health independent experts in charge of effectively implementing the EU4HealthProgramme. They called as well for the strengthening of the mandates of the European Agency for Medicines (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The budget of EU4Health still needs to be adopted this week by the MEPs in the European Parliament’s plenary session, and then, undergo negotiations with the EU Council, before being officially adopted. The rare diseases community is closely observing the development and the funding issues related to the EU4Health Programme.
