Cross Border Healthcare in the European Union; EU Governance and National Responses in Healthcare
Martinsen, D. & Vasev, N. (2014) Cross border healthcare in the European Union: EU governance and national responses in healthcare. In: M. Hill (ed.) Studying Public Policy: Bristol, UK: Policy Press, pp. 281-295.
12 Pages Posted: 6 Apr 2016
Date Written: 2014
Abstract
This contribution examines the increased European Union (EU) regulation within the healthcare sector, exemplified by the regulation of patient rights in cross border healthcare. This provides an example of the various complexities arising from the operationalization of a European Union policy within nation states’ health systems. The contribution first analyses the judicial and political process through which patient rights in cross border health care became part of the EU regulatory competences, resulting in the adoption of the patient rights directive. The principles and content of this directive are found to be the most important regulatory piece of healthcare regulation within the EU to date. The contribution then examines the different set of challenges that EU healthcare governance introduces to the different healthcare systems of the Community. Thirdly, it analyses these challenges in two selected member states; the universalist and national healthcare system of Denmark and the insurance based healthcare system of Bulgaria. The two cases are selected because they vary in respect of on healthcare models as well as health care packages, spending, degree of centralization and administrative capacity among other factors.
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