The amendments tabled by Social Democrat MEP Victor Negrescu, in his capacity as the S&D Group’s lead negotiator for the European Union’s 2026 budget, were adopted during the first meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Public Health in the new legislative session.

As a member of the Committee on Public Health, Negrescu will continue throughout the 2025–2026 legislative term to advocate for making health a top priority at the heart of Europe’s strategic investment agenda, stressing that health is “Europe’s insurance policy” for sustainable innovation, job creation, and the consolidation of economic sovereignty.

“My objective is to ensure that health remains a real priority in the EU budgetary framework,” Negrescu underlined, pointing out that Europe needs a budget that responds concretely to citizens’ expectations, while Romania needs its priorities in the health sector to be fully respected.

The adopted amendments focus on five key areas:

1. A substantial increase in the EU4Health budget and the mobilisation of additional resources to improve access to medicines and medical devices.
2. Dedicated funding for innovative treatments against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, rare diseases, and pediatric conditions, with a particular focus on young people’s mental health.
3. Strengthening European health research and innovation, including the launch of a European investment facility for medical infrastructure and digital health solutions.
4. New budget lines for mental health services in schools and community programmes, providing direct support for young people and vulnerable groups.
5. Transparent and results-oriented investments in public health, ranging from digitalisation and telemedicine to tailored solutions for remote and isolated areas.

“Romania’s voice needs to be heard, and these measures will not only strengthen the health system but also increase citizens’ confidence in the European project,” stressed the Vice-President of the European Parliament.