Cross-border healthcare proposals a step in the right direction

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Jul 2008

Elspeth Attwooll MEP today welcomed the Commission's new social agenda, which includes proposals for a directive on cross-border healthcare in the European Union.

Commenting on the healthcare proposals, the Lib Dem MEP for Scotland said:

"While there are still many questions to be considered, the directive will establish our general right as EU citizens to receive treatment in other Member States. It will almost certainly, though, be up to Member States to decide what cross-border treatment if any will be reimbursed, and whether or not this will require prior authorisation. But this is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to the proposals coming before the European Parliament".