Subject: Situation of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic
According to the latest figures published by Eurostat, 20.3 % of the European Union’s population is aged 65 or over. The serious health crisis caused by COVID-19 is highlighting the need for older people in the EU to be better protected, as they are the group recording the highest number of deaths and suffering most from the repercussions of lockdown.
1. What specific actions is the Commission coordinating to ensure Member States step up health and social care for older people during the pandemic?
2. Can the Commission issue guidelines so that standard measures exist that improve care of older people in the EU?
3. Can the Commission set out measures so that Member States do not discriminate on the basis of age when providing medical treatment for COVID-19?
Answer given by Mr Schmit on behalf of the European Commission
(13 July 2020)
As a first response, the Commission helped Member States by proposing the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (1) (CRII) and CRII Plus packages, introducing extraordinary flexibility to support Member States to use the European Structural and Investment Funds (2) to the fullest, including for strengthening health and long-term care systems.
On 27 May 2020, the Commission proposed the Next Generation EU instrument of EUR 750 billion as well as targeted reinforcements to the EU’s multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (3). The Commission proposed a new Health Programme to strengthen health security and prepare for future health crises (4). The Commission is also funding research on potential COVID-19 vaccine and treatments (5).
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued guidance on the surveillance of COVID-19 at long-term care facilities (6) in addition to guidance on infection prevention, control and preparedness in healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities (7). Furthermore, the European Semester includes Country Specific Recommendations that address national challenges in ensuring adequate long-term care (8).
In line with Article 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, everyone has the right to benefit from medical treatment under the conditions established by national laws and practices (9). Member States should refer to European recommendations to determine a prioritisation system of testing and treatment (10).
In 2021, the Commission will publish a Green Paper on ageing, launching a broad debate on long-term impacts, including on care and the needs and opportunities of an ageing population (11).
⋅1∙ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32020R0460
⋅2∙ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32020R0558
⋅3∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/eu-long-term-budget/2021-2027_en
⋅4∙ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_940
⋅5∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/health/coronavirus-response/research-and-innovation_en
⋅6∙ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/covid-19-long-term-care-facilities-surveillance-guidance.pdf
⋅7∙ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Infection-prevention-control-for-the-care-of-patients-with-2019-
nCoV-healthcare-settings_third-update.pdf
⋅8∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/2020-european-semester-country-specific-recommendations-commission-
recommendations_en
⋅9∙ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12016P/TXT&from=EN
⋅10∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/covid19_-_eu_recommendations_on_testing_strategies_v2.pdf
⋅11∙ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/sites/comm-cwt2019/files/commissioner_mission_letters/mission-letter-
dubravka-suica_en.pdf