CROSS-BORDER HEALTH CARE : LONG-TERM CARE LIKELY TO FALL OUT OF SCOPE.

Justifying the findings of an earlier progress report, the public debate on the draft directive on cross-border health care at the Health Council of 16 December reaffirmed that views differ widely on how this directive should be implemented. Several member states fear the loss of national sovereignty in the area of health care, and the impact of the projected influx of patients from other member states is also a cause for concern. For one, Luxembourg said that it was not satisfied with the proposal as it stands, stressing that it will not support the draft directive unless it receives guarantees that it can retain its national powers.

The proposed directive covers three areas: first, it seeks to guarantee safe and high-quality health care for all patients. Secondly, it aims to help patients make use of their rights to cross-border health care...