BRUSSELS – COCIR, the European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry, applauds the European Parliament’s vote in favor of the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross-border Healthcare.

Through the directive, EU citizens will have access to high quality care across EU borders while obtaining reimbursement. COCIR emphasized the importance of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in the new directive. The purpose of HTA is to ensure better use of healthcare resources, facilitate implementation of innovative health IT and make healthcare accessible for all EU citizens.

Nicole Denjoy, COCIR Secretary General, noted that “HTA is instrumental to achieve a favorable environment to foster better use of new technologies in an integrated care approach. eHealth is a great enabler to improve access, quality and continuity of care of citizens, while contributing to rationalization of costs.”

Denjoy added that COCIR hopes the directive will promote successful deployment of eHealth across Europe through the partnership of Member States and the European Commission.