The future of the EU’s dedicated health budget is hanging in the balance, with concerns mounting that it could be merged with other funds or even eliminated altogether. This follows the leak of an early blueprint for the next seven-year EU budget, which suggests a major restructuring of funding priorities.
EU Health Budget: Merging or Disappearing?
While the European Commission isn’t expected to officially unveil its budget proposal until June, the leaked blueprint has already sparked alarm within the health sector. The document proposes consolidating health funding into a single European Competitiveness Fund, aiming to bolster the bloc’s strategic autonomy and shared values.
This restructuring, discussed within the Commission’s budget service since January, seeks to streamline policies and prioritize strategic direction over specific programs. Under this plan, renowned EU programs like Horizon Europe (research), space, digital, and health would be merged, leading to unified rules for participation and eligibility across these diverse areas.
Concerns Over Funding Shifts and Long-Term Impact
This potential merger has ignited debate, with some experts expressing fears that health funding could be diverted to other priorities. Just last February, roughly €1 billion was reallocated from the EU4Health program to support Ukraine’s aid package, raising concerns about the program’s vulnerability.
Green MEP Tilly Metz voiced her worries, stating, “Health isn’t just about developing innovative medications; it’s also about public health, prevention, and awareness.” She emphasized that these crucial areas could be overlooked in favor of economic objectives.
The EU4Health program, established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, allocated €5.3 billion, a significant increase from the previous health program’s budget of €450 million from 2014 to 2020. This program has supported initiatives like addressing Europe’s nursing shortage by promoting the profession in member states experiencing critical shortages.
Sustainable Funding: A Pressing Need
The future of EU4Health remains uncertain. Even Commission director-general for health Sandra Gallina hinted at its potential as a one-time initiative. An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that merging health funding with other programs might be the only way to secure a substantial health budget, avoiding its potential elimination.
Former EU Health Commissioner and current socialist MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis echoed these concerns, arguing that the current budget is inadequate and will worsen with impending EU enlargement. He emphasized the need for dedicated, autonomous health funding, proposing options like a CO2 levy, corporate income tax, or a financial transaction tax. However, these proposals haven’t gained significant traction.
Regional Health Concerns
The debate surrounding the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is crucial for EU regions, which play a vital role in implementing health policies and driving innovation. Michele Calabrò from Euregha, the network of regional and local health authorities, stressed the importance of maintaining dedicated health funding and programs, warning against any dilution or weakening of these crucial instruments.
He highlighted the need to ensure that the new model doesn’t negatively affect cohesion policy or undermine multi-level governance and the essential role of regional actors.
What’s Next?
The fate of the EU’s health budget and the future of EU4Health remain uncertain. It’s crucial to engage in the ongoing discussions and advocate for sustained and dedicated funding for public health within the European Union.