EU plans Europewide health card
The EU plans to introduce a single European health card by June 2004 to enable citizens to get medical treatment anywhere in the 15 nation bloc.
The card is to cut red tape for Europeans seeking medical treatment when they are out of their own country, either for work, or when they are on holiday, officials said.
“The European health insurance card will make it easier and quicker for EU citizens to obtain health care when staying temporarily in another member state,” said Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou.
Europeans who currently work or reside in another EU country face constant headaches of having to fill out tedious renewal forms to ensure they can receive emergency medical care.
The intent of the card is to simplify procedures and would not offer citizens any more rights to better care under their national health plans, officials said.
Plans to introduce an EU-wide health card are part of European Commission efforts to improve free movement of labour.
