European elections campaign

The HUMA network targeted over 140 candidate MEPs from 7 European Union Member States and asked them whether as MEPs “they would be willing to stand up for all those living in Europe to receive equal access to health care, including undocumented migrants”?

 

Of the 46 candidates who answered us, near unanimously in an unequivocal positive way, 30 were elected (see right column). These will soon join GUE/NGL(6), PES(11), EFA/Greens(5), ALDE(3) or EPP(4). We will get or remain in contact with these MEPs as soon as they will take office, to turn this commitment into reality.

 

Why did we appeal to the candidates?

  • To recall the crucial issue of undocumented migrants’ rights and especially the right to access health care in the European debate;
  • As potential future members of the European Parliament, candidates should make clear commitments to defend access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.

 

Why defend access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers?

  • Public health reasons

    • Improving access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers contribute to general public health purposes.
    • The fight against epidemics and infectious diseases cannot be conducted without a particular attention to the fight against inequality in terms of access to health care.
    • The lack or insufficient access to health care and prevention (including vaccination) for particular group of persons within a society can pose a risk to public health. No public health policy can be efficient if it leaves aside some of the most vulnerable groups (often the most socially excluded).

    The use of this argument as regards to individuals with contagious diseases (hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV- AIDS, etc.) could be rather sensitive. There is indeed a risk of stigmatization. Therefore, regarding the impact of lack of treatment of undocumented migrants and asylum seekers with contagious diseases on public health, The HUMA network members will avoid stigma by stressing that many undocumented migrants and asylum seekers get ill in the EU due extremely poor living conditions.

 

  • Economical reasons
    • Providing health care to persons with a precarious economic status is generally less expensive than treating the general population.
    • Access to primary health care and prevention programs allow to reduce morbidity and are factors of considerable costs reduction and rationalization in terms of public health policies.
    • For certain pathologies, prevention and early diagnosis are more efficient and less costly than curative care (e.g. tobacco and lung cancer; cancer of uterus’ neck; salt and severe arterial hypertension, etc.).
    • Regarding certain contagious diseases, prevention, screening and early treatment reduce the risk of transmission and aggravation. They also reduce the total cost for the general society (e.g. tuberculosis).
    • EU Member States can assume the cost of providing health care to undocumented migrants and asylum seekers (i.e. the cost of providing health care to undocumented migrants and asylum seekers does not pose a significant financial burden on the states).
    • Migrants in general and undocumented migrants in particular do not make an abusive use of the health system (in fact, they seem to seek health care significantly less than nationals).
    • Organizing the provision of health services to undocumented migrants and asylum seekers (France, Belgium, the Netherlands…) through parallel administrative and payment systems increases significantly management and administrative costs and do not, on the contrary, contribute to make the system more efficient in terms of access to health care.

 

  • Human Rights reasons
    • Improving access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers is a precondition to guarantee the right to health, recognized by many international human rights treaties as a right for all regardless of one’s administrative status. These treaties, with the sole exception of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families, have been ratified by all EU member states.

 

  • Medical ethics reasons
    • According to professional ethics, doctors and nurses are bound by the duty of secrecy and by the obligation to provide health care to anyone in need. In most countries, health care professionals are confronted to a difficult situation since the legislation in force obliged them to infringe their ethical code.

 

Ask your candidate to pronouce themselves by answering this question:

 

As an MEP, would you be willing to stand up for all those living in Europe to receive equal access to health care, including undocumented migrants?

o Yes

o No

 

 

The model of the letter that can be sent to the candidates is available on the right.

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