The Europeanization of Health Care Governance: Implementing the market imperatives of Europe

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Europeanization of Health Care Governance

T2 - Implementing the market imperatives of Europe

AU - Martinsen, Dorte Sindbjerg

AU - Vrangbæk, Karsten

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - The paper examines the Europeanization process and the impact of the European Union (EU) on national healthcare policies, using the example of Denmark. The analysis reveals that although health policy formally falls within the competence of member states, the impact of the EU is becoming increasingly conspicuous and has contributed to a gradual restructuring of healthcare boundaries as well as of some of its organizing principles. Furthermore, the process and impact have a de-structuring effect on the more traditional governance tools used in relation to healthcare. The paper concludes that the EU has a significant impact and that we may be witnessing the formation of a new institutional legacy that represents the initiation of a Europeanized healthcare model: a model emerging around a new set of stakeholders, principles and structures, which includes the market, principles of free movement, patient choice and patient rights institutionalized and safeguarded by the EU.

AB - The paper examines the Europeanization process and the impact of the European Union (EU) on national healthcare policies, using the example of Denmark. The analysis reveals that although health policy formally falls within the competence of member states, the impact of the EU is becoming increasingly conspicuous and has contributed to a gradual restructuring of healthcare boundaries as well as of some of its organizing principles. Furthermore, the process and impact have a de-structuring effect on the more traditional governance tools used in relation to healthcare. The paper concludes that the EU has a significant impact and that we may be witnessing the formation of a new institutional legacy that represents the initiation of a Europeanized healthcare model: a model emerging around a new set of stakeholders, principles and structures, which includes the market, principles of free movement, patient choice and patient rights institutionalized and safeguarded by the EU.

U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-9299.2007.00702.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1467-9299.2007.00702.x

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0033-3298

VL - 86

SP - 169

EP - 184

JO - Public Administration

JF - Public Administration

IS - 1

ER -