8.8.2000 EN C 226/79 Official Journal of the European Communities
Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Role of the local and regional authorities in the
reform of European public health systems’
(2000/C 226/19)
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,
having regard to the decision of the Bureau of 15 September 1999 to draw up, in accordance with the
fifth paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, an Opinion on theRole of the local and regional authorities in the reform of European public health systems and to instruct
Commission 5 for Social Policy, Public Health, Consumer Protection, Research and Tourism to prepare
the Committee’s work on the subject;
having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 416/99 rev. 2) adopted by Commission 5 on 6 March 2000
(rapporteur: Mr Tilman Tögel (D/PSE));
adopted the following opinion at its 33rd plenary session held on 12 and 13 April 2000 (meeting of
13 April).
The Committee of the Regions would like to make the The Committee of the Regions makes the following
recommendations to the Commission, the Council and following comments about the further development of
European public health policy: the European Parliament:
6. As an initial step, the necessary basis for cooperation1. The health care field includes tasks performed by theshould be established by means of greater transparency,local and regional authorities which are important to thethe targeted development of methods and the exchange ofpublic and have a major financial impact in the light ofexperience.European integration. In view of the strong cultural influences
on health care, European involvement must be kept to a bareminimum.
7. In developing European public health policy as defined
in the treaty of Amsterdam, the European Union’s bodies, in
collaboration with the Member States should:2. Systems (by means of which the spread of infectious
diseases can be averted, foodstuff supervision can be made
more efficient and environmental effects hazardous to health— provide a further stimulus to solving local and regionalcan be prevented) could be studied and settled at the EU-level.problems, especially those arising in border areas, byThe role of the EU is essential in such duties.working together with local and regional authorities via
practical initiatives and targeted development projects;
— look at the individual areas and issues, responsibility for 3. Member States carry out their health and medical care
which is dispersed across the whole range of European according to national organisational and financial solutions.
bodies, as a whole and to coordinate this approach via the They are the results of a long historical and cultural develop-
European Commission; ment. The harmonisation of these solutions would not be
reasonable nor justifiable.
— encourage regional players to become actively involved,
within the range of opportunities offered by bothnationally managed health care systems and health systems4. Discussions on cross-border aspects of health should beof the self-managing kind existing in some Member Statesencouraged. Discussion matters could for instance focus onin the fields of public health. This applies particularlyfinancing health-costs relating to cross-border activities.where public health and health care functions are assigned
to different bodies and levels. Being close to the ‘grass
roots’ the local authorities have an important role toplay. Their social service departments are responsible for
identifying problems, taking preventive action and offering 5. The policy and decision-making powers of the local
authorities must not only be taken into consideration but also assistance, particularly to sections of the population which
are at risk or experiencing difficulties; strengthened in line with needs, and developed.
C 226/80 EN 8.8.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
— extend health monitoring and public health reporting in cussion include, for example, Community and especially cross-
border quality assurance and planning. Europe systematically to all matters relevant to public
health so as to establish a reliable data framework in
parallel with practical comparative studies of structure.9. The COR also believes that, in the future, when decisions
are taken affecting the public health and health care responsi-
bilities of local and regional authorities, particular attention 8. The Committee of the Regions calls for the necessary
transparency and debate on health matters. Issues for dis- should be paid to the views of the COR.
Brussels, 13 April 2000.
The President
of the Committee of the Regions
Jos CHABERT