EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
EU News: The first ever report on how the Professional Qualifications Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC) works in practice has been published by the European Commission.
The report, undertaken by the Commission's Internal Market department, identifies areas of concern such as Member States' reluctance to allow temporary mobility of professionals. The Commission is publishing simultaneously more than 170 reports on recognition of professional qualifications from Member State authorities.
The report, undertaken by the Commission's Internal Market department, identifies areas of concern such as Member States' reluctance to allow temporary mobility of professionals. The Commission is publishing simultaneously more than 170 reports on recognition of professional qualifications from Member State authorities.
The next steps are:
* an extensive public consultation on the rules that are in place (to be launched by the end of this year)
* an evaluation report (in autumn 2011)
* a Green Paper (in 2012)
EU News: A step towards faster & more efficient EU response to disasters was made last week, as the European Commission presented proposals to reinforce the Union's capacity to act on civil protection & humanitarian assistance. The aim is to improve the disaster response of the European Union, both within and outside of its borders.
The new strategy aims to develop scenarios for the main disaster risks and to identify the assets needed if these risks materialise; in addition, a map will be drawn of Member States' assets that are currently available for EU response, and national authorities will be requested to voluntarily put core equipment on standby, available for rapid European assistance if needed.
EU News: Plans to lay down clearer rights for patients to seek healthcare in another Member State - and be properly reimbursed - were beefed up by Parliament's Public Health Committee last week. These rights have been confirmed by European court rulings, but are not yet enshrined in EU law. MEPs also want patients to be properly informed about their rights when being treated in another Member State.
If a form of treatment is covered under their national healthcare system, patients will, as a rule, be allowed to receive that treatment in another EU country, stresses the committee. They will also be reimbursed without prior authorisation up to the level they would have received in their home country. If a Member State refuses to reimburse a treatment, a medical justification for that decision has to be given.
Press release ~ Eurobarometer study on cross-border healthcare in the EU ~ Commission Q&A on cross-border healthcare
EU News: The European Commission has requested the United Kingdom to end discriminatory conditions on the right to reside as a worker which exclude from certain social benefits nationals from 8 of the 10 Member States (Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland) that joined the EU in 2004.
The United Kingdom has 2 months to bring its legislation into line with EU law. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the UK to the EU's Court of Justice.
