In a joint letter ahead of the 19 June EPSCO Council debate on migrant health, EPHA, Medecins du Monde (link) and PICUM (link), addressed the Council to ask for action and policy commitment to universal access to healthcare and its paramount importance in addressing health inequalities.
The letter, signed by a group of umbrella networks and grassroots organisations from across the EU, drew attention to the fact that improvements in access to healthcare for asylum seekers, undocumented third-country nationals, or destitute EU citizens over the last few years are insufficient in the face of increased need. Current policy responses are failing on several levels leaving vulnerable people at the margins of healthcare. This neglect not only has damaging ethical implications, not least denying the right to access healthcare, but also poses a threat to public health for society at large – a good example of which is denial of vaccinations.
Accordingly EPHA, PICUM and MDM ask Health Ministers to challenge EU and national policies on migration that undermine public health objectives, and use the tools available at European level to drive developments towards universal access to healthcare in all countries of the European Union.
