PES and S&D call for strong and dedicated EU Health funding in next long-term EU budget

Following a joint Health Ministerial organised by the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the S&D Group on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), socialists and democrats underlined the need to ensure that health remains a central pillar of the European project and safeguard dedicated European investment in public health.

The discussion focused on the future of the EU4Health programme in the context of the upcoming EU budget negotiations for 2028-2034 and growing concerns over its integration into the broader European Competitiveness Fund. Participants stressed that Europe cannot weaken its commitment to health resilience, prevention and crisis preparedness after the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairing the meeting, Victor Negrescu, PES Vice-President, and Chair of the PES Working Group on the MFF, said:

"EU4Health has shown the added value of European cooperation in protecting citizens' health and strengthening our health systems. As socialists and democrats, we call to continue investing in health as a mean to strenghten Europe's resilience, security, and social cohesion. This also means tackling persistent health inequalities across and within Member States, ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to access to care, prevention, and treatment. We must remain committed to building a true European Health Union - one that is better prepared, more coordinated, and more equitable. We cannot let this ambition be diluted in the next EU budget. In that regard, I welcome the European Parliament's recent position calling for the earmarking of EU4Health resources within the future European Competitiveness Fund. We have to keep strengthening the Health Union for citizens."

Participants highlighted that EU4Health has played a crucial role in strengthening health system resilience, improving preparedness for future crises, supporting prevention programmes, and reducing health inequalities across Europe.

The PES and S&D reaffirmed their commitment to building a strong European Health Union with predictable, sufficient, and dedicated funding for public health, prevention, preparedness, and healthcare infrastructure.

The ministerial brought together ministers, policymakers, and Parliament representatives from across Europe to coordinate a common political approach ahead of the next phase of negotiations on the EU's long-term budget.

List of participants:

• Victor Negrescu, PES Vice President, European Parliament Vice-President, Chair of the PES MFF Working Group
• Korinna Schumann, Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria
• Frank Vandenbroucke, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, with responsibility for the Fight against Poverty, Belgium
• Christophe Clergeau, Member of the European Parliament
• Vytenis Andriukaitis, Member of the European Parliament
• Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary-General