Public health
- (Photo: European Commission)
The EU is empowered under the treaties to take measures to ensure a high level of human health protection. The EU may complement, co-ordinate, and promote national measures of public health, but not legislate directly. This power (competence) remains with the Member States.
The EU Court decided in the Kohll case (C-158/96) that medical treatment is also subject to the principle of free movement of services.
Notes
For 2003-2008 the EU-budget for public health is 312 million Euro.
The future
The EU Constitution proposes that common safety concerns in public health matters becomes shared competence - EU law would therefore suppress member states' existing legislation and right to legislate in this area.
Other questions relating to public health fall within the area of supporting, coordinating or complementary action. See Art. I-13 and I-16 of the EU Constitution.
Links
http://europa.eu.int/pol/health/index_en.htm
