News
COVID-19 & social security 25-05-2020
Safeguarding public health & social protection in times of pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for the health and social security systems in the European Union. Social security systems play a key role in providing healthcare, sickness benefits, unemployment benefits and much more to insured persons, during this pandemic and beyond. By implementing several measures such as simplifying procedures to access benefits and providing additional benefits to those most affected, ESIP members have shown their flexibility and ability to cope with the current situation.
COVID-19: Joint letter to the European Commission 19-03-2020
Statement on the current developments of the COVID-19 pandemic
On 18th March 2020, the European Social Insurance Platform (ESIP) signed a joint letter addressed to the European Commission on the response at EU level to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The statement was co-signed by AIM (the International Association of Health Care Mutuals and Health Care Funds), CPME (Standing Committee of European Doctors) and HOPE (the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation).
ESIP, together the with co-signatories, welcome the ‘Corona Response Investment Initiative’ and offer their full support on the European Union’s efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. While slowing down the spread of the virus, it is essential to ensure that healthcare professionals have access to suitable equipment and that patients receive appropriate treatment. The discussion against vital medicine shortages in Europe remains important, in particular Europe’s dependency on single sourcing in the production and distribution chain of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
As European level representatives of the health care community, ESIP, AIM, CPME and HOPE remain at the disposal of the European Commission to provide any information and support they can in tackling this and similar health threats in the future.
Find out more in the statement.
Supporting gender equality in social security 10-03-2020
EU gender equality strategy: the role of social protection systems
On 5 March, the European Commission published its Gender equality strategy for 2020 to 2025. ESIP welcomes this strategy which in some respects goes beyond the previous strategic engagement for gender equality for 2016 to 2019, with its broader approach to gender mainstreaming, to be included in all steps of EU policies. As recognised in the targeted actions proposed by the Commission on closing the gender employment, care and pension gaps, social protection systems have an important role to play to empower women, by supporting their participation in the labour market and compensating for the impact on their income of care responsibilities.
For a true “Health in all policies” approach 03-03-2020
ESIP gives its feedback to the Roadmap on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
The European Commission recently published a roadmap outlining the main aspects of the future Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. ESIP welcomes this initiative as a way to raise the profile of health at EU level and gave its feedback to the roadmap.
