European Patients' Forum Campaign on Access to Healthcare - #Access2030

18 January 2017
by eub2 -- last modified 18 January 2017

In critical times for the sustainability of people-centred health systems, the European Patients' Forum (EPF) is launching a major campaign on universal access to healthcare. A long standing priority for EPF and its membership, we need to shape an approach that works for all citizens and patients.

The alarming figures from the latest 'Health at Glance' report from the Commission and OECD, show that a substantial patient population is not regularly covered for health care costs. This echoes our campaign's main message: It's time for change and action!

The campaign will build on political momentum at the EU level, while basing itself on the UN Sustainable Development Goal calling for Universal Health Coverage for all by 2030.

"It's time for substantive measures that improve the situation of patients in Europe. We call on the EU and Member States to work together to achieve truly accessible health and social care services", stated Marco Greco, EPF President.

The backbone of our campaign covers five action areas that will trigger reflection and induce development of measures, achieving Universal Health Coverage for All by 2030. These include:

1. Providing Quality of Care across the EU
2. Committing to Sustainable Investment in Health
3. Encouraging Affordability of Healthcare Products and Services
4. Ensuring Access to a Holistic Range of Health and Social Services
5. Ending Discrimination Patients Are Facing in Healthcare

Nicola Bedlington, EPF Secretary General, pointed out: "The unique approach of our campaign will allow us to advance on a wide range of policy areas pertinent to universal access". In the next 12 months, with the help of our members and partners throughout Europe, the campaign will pinpoint avenues towards universal health coverage by 2030, and support Member States in their commitment to achieving this goal.

Come and join us to make Universal Health coverage a reality for patients in Europe!

The European Patients' Forum (EPF) was founded in 2003 to ensure that the patients' community drives policies and programmes that affect patients' lives to bring changes empowering them to be equal citizens in the EU. EPF currently represents 67 members, which are national coalitions of patient organisations and disease-specific patient organisations working at European level, and. EPF reflects the voice of an estimated 150 million patients affected by various chronic diseases throughout Europe.

European Patients' Forum