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OPINION (COM(2025)0565 – C100179/2025 – 2025/0240(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509

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Committee on Public Health · Rapporteur: Victor Negrescu

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The Committee on Public Health gives its opinion on the proposed regulation setting up the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034. It proposes amendments to make health a programmable priority in the National and Regional Partnership Plans, with a dedicated chapter on health, measurable milestones and targets, and dedicated financial allocations. It asks for at least EUR 20 000 000 000 for health priorities and for health measures to cover workforce shortages, access to care, mental health, prevention, infrastructure and territorial disparities. It also adds health to the Fund's objectives, to emergency preparedness, to rural and coastal development, and to the role of civil society and non-profit organisations.

Committee position. The Committee on Public Health proposes amendments to the proposed regulation to make health a programmable priority with a dedicated chapter, measurable targets and at least EUR 20 000 000 000, and to add health objectives across the Fund.

Key points

  1. Health systems face demographic ageing, rising demand, workforce shortages and health service deserts, with life expectancy gaps of up to ten years between Member States.
  2. Less than 4 percent of allocations in national plans go to health, which the opinion says underprioritises the sector.
  3. The Commission proposal does not sufficiently translate health needs into a structured and programmable framework, risking fragmented interventions.
  4. Health should be a programmable priority, with a dedicated chapter on health in the Plans covering resilience, workforce and access, supported by measurable milestones, targets and financial allocations.
  5. Financing for health should be dedicated, visible and additional to existing social funding, and eligible measures should cover workforce, access, mental health, disability and palliative care, prevention, health literacy and infrastructure.
  6. Investments should reduce territorial gaps, and the contribution of civil society and non-profit organisations to public health should be recognised and supported.
  7. The approach respects subsidiarity and does not aim to harmonise national healthcare systems, but supports Member States in addressing common challenges.
  8. The amendments add health to the Fund's objectives, including a high level of human health protection under Article 168(1) TFEU and support for health, education and trans-European networks.
  9. They add specific objectives on health excellence and rare diseases and cancer research, resilience of healthcare systems and long-term care, and preparedness for health emergencies.
  10. They add objectives on healthcare infrastructure and access, equitable care in underserved and insular regions, digitalisation and interoperability of health systems, and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
  11. They add health measures in rural areas, quality of care and patient safety strategies, water and sanitation in healthcare facilities, and the One Health approach linking health and environmental data.
  12. They require a dedicated chapter on health in each Plan, at least EUR 20 000 000 000 for health priorities, and traceable health investments linked to Country-Specific Recommendations.

Who is affected

  • Member States and their regions, which must include a dedicated health chapter and measurable targets in their Plans.
  • Healthcare workers and patients in underserved, insular, peripheral, outermost and mountainous regions, who should gain better access to care.
  • Civil society, public health organisations and non-profit entities, which should be supported and involved in the Plans.
  • Rural and coastal communities, which should benefit from rural medicine, rural pharmacies and community-based healthcare services.

Figures and deadlines

  • Life expectancy gaps of up to ten years between Member States.
  • Less than 4 percent of allocations in national plans are directed towards health.
  • At least EUR 20 000 000 000 for health priorities.
  • A per capita GNI of less than 90 % of the Union average for Member States that must demonstrate adequate contribution to certain objectives.

Legal basis: Articles 9, 19 and 153 TFEU; Article 168 TFEU; Article 177(2) TFEU; Article 5 TEU.