Insurance code for Cancer survivors a welcome start

“A welcome first step for cancer survivors”

That is the view of Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune following the Irish insurance industry’s announcement of a Code of Practice to improve access to mortgage protection insurance for those who have recovered from cancer.

MEP Clune, a member of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer says, “this Code of Practice is a start, but it must be accompanied by binding legislation.

Next up, at European level we need to see the ratification of the Consumer Credit Directive, which was provisionally agreed between the European Parliament, the European Council & the European Commission in December.

This Directive will enshrine in EU law, the Right to be Forgotten, so that an individual’s past cancer diagnosis will not infringe on their ability to purchase insurance.

This will mean EU Member States, including Ireland will have to implement the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ nationally.

It is important that the Consumer Credit Directive and any future revision of the Mortgages Credit Directive be adopted as swiftly as possible, to ensure that no cancer survivor pays twice for their diagnosis.

I thank the Irish Cancer Society and the many cancer patients and survivors who have helped us reach this point.”