Pillar of Social Rights is not suitable for screening performance in the areas of health and long-term care – no need for fundamental changes to EU law.

In March 2016, the European Commission presented its outline for a European Pillar of Social Rights and, at the same time, opened a public consultation process. The aim of the consultation is to make an assessment of the current social “acquis” in the EU, as well as to gather feedback on the outline of the Pillar. The intention is to set out a series of key principles which support well-functioning and fair labour markets and welfare systems.  

 

In August 2016, the Board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) stated their position on the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Association welcomes, in principle, the goal of achieving renewed convergence of high-level social security in the Member States of the European Union. In its comments, the Association stated its position on healthcare, sickness benefits, long-term care and work-place health promotion. It is of the opinion that the Pillar of Social Rights is not suitable for screening performance in the areas of health and long-term care. Although there are some challenges that the Member States face in common, there are also some quite diverse challenges which should essentially be addressed at national level. In the view of the GKV-Spitzenverband, there is no need for fundamental changes to EU law concerning healthcare and longterm care.  

 

The paper can be viewed at:  

https://www.gkv-spitzenverband.de/media/dokumente/english/160824_GKV_Consultation_Social_Pillar.pdf