Javier Padilla defends Patient Organizations Law against competency claims

Spain’s Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, has stated that the proposed Patient Organizations Law focuses on organizations with a national scope and does not infringe upon the legislative competencies of autonomous communities. Speaking at an event organized by the Spanish Patient Forum (FEP) in Madrid, Padilla noted that regions like the Basque Country have already begun their own legislative processes regarding this matter.

Padilla emphasized that the legal protections regarding regional authority are secure, addressing concerns raised by political groups such as Junts. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a clear definition of ‘patient associations’ during the parliamentary process. He argued that these entities possess a unique legitimacy derived from the lived experience of patients, families, and caregivers, which provides essential knowledge for approaching disease management and decision-making.