ELF and ERS attend European Parliament meetings in Strasbourg

ELF and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) attended a constituent session of the European Parliament last month. The session took place on 15 – 18 July 2024 and represented the launch of the new parliament after the recent elections. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were assigned to various committees to decide the areas they will be working on for the next 5 years and decide on roles within the EU. 

This session was an opportunity for ELF and ERS to engage with MEPs and ensure that work proposed by the new parliament responded to the concerns of patients and healthcare professionals. During the event, ELF and ERS held approximately 40 informal meetings with MEPs, including the co-chair of the MEP Lung Health Group, Tomislav Sokol. The discussions were constructive and highlighted areas affecting lung health, including access to care and air quality. 

• There has been a remodelling of the Public Health Subcommittee (SANT), with significant changes to the membership. The majority are new members and there has been an increased representation of the European People’s Party (EPP) and Social Democrats (S&D). 
• The possibility of a new parliament structure was considered and will be ongoing. This could mean the SANT obtain full legislative powers and public health is placed higher on the agenda.  

• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, promised to ensure that all people living with lung conditions have access to treatment. 

If you are interested in learning more, read about the highlights in full at the bottom of this page. 

• The European Parliament will ensure medicines remain accessible across EU member states. 

• The regulation of medical devices in the EU will be revised. This will improve safety and drive innovation. 

• Further discussions may mean that more money will be invested to improve care of people living with health conditions across Europe. 

An important aspect of our discussions was the renewal of the MEP Lung Health Group, an informal platform for policymakers, health professionals and people living with lung conditions. The aim of the group is to promote EU policy measures to improve lung health and new MEPs welcomed this idea. ELF look forward to continuing discussions in September and ensuring that lung health remains a priority on the EU health agenda.

ELF’s engagement, in partnership with other patient organisations, with the SANT subcommittee and the European Parliament will be important to shape health policy for all Europeans. We are committed to continuing our advocacy, working closely with policymakers to drive initiatives to improve care for people living with lung conditions.